The spring jewelry auctions featured some truly magnificent jewels with some lots being sold at prices greatly exceeding their auction estimates. In fact, a few pieces sold at record-breaking prices. Here, we take a look at some of the notable jewelry and gemstone pieces that hit the auction block this spring.
Emerald-Cut Internally Flawless Diamond
The clear star of the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale on April 21 in New York was the record-breaking 100.20 carat (ct) emerald-cut, D color, Internally Flawless, diamond ring that sold for $22.09 million. This was the highest price that any colorless diamond has been auctioned for to date.
The diamond is one of only six diamonds over 100 carats of this quality that have sold at auction in the last quarter century. The stone, which has been set in a 6 1/2 size platinum ring, is an Internally Flawless, D color, type IIa, emerald-cut.
The record-breaking 100.20 ct emerald-cut diamond. Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s.
GIA Grading Results: 100.20 ct, D color, Internally Flawless clarity, type IIa classification. (GIA Report 5161435897)
Natural Pearl and Diamond Necklace
Another record breaker of this auction season was the four-strand natural pearl necklace that sold for more than $5 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on April 14.
The necklace features four strands of natural pearls, all natural color: 289 gray and brown pearls total (81, 76, 69 and 63 pearls per strand respectively) with rosé, green or purple overtones. The pearls on the necklace range from 4.90 mm to 12.65 mm in size. The clasp of the necklace is set with a 3.03 ct cushion-shaped brilliant cut diamond surrounded by 10 old European-cut diamonds.
A multi-strand natural pearl necklace with diamond clasp. Photo courtesy of Christie’s.
GIA Grading Results for the center diamond: 3.03 ct, D color, Internally Flawless (GIA report 6127963527)
Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond Ring
This dazzling ring featuring a Fancy Vivid pink, cut-cornered rectangular mixed cut, 5.18 ct diamond surrounded by eight oval-shaped brilliant cut diamonds, ranging in weight from 0.50 to 0.59 ct, was auctioned on May 13 at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva. The size six diamond ring sold for $10.8 million.
Pink gemstones, especially diamonds, have been popular at auction in recent years. For instance, take a look at the eye-catching appearance of this Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid purple-pink diamond that went to auction in Fall 2014.
Fancy Vivid pink cut-cornered rectangular mixed cut diamond ring surrounded by oval shaped brilliant cut diamonds.. Photo courtesy of Christie’s.
GIA Grading Results: 5.18 ct, natural color Fancy Vivid pink, VS2 clarity (GIA report 2165887854). The additional oval brilliants have GIA reports that state they weigh between 0.50 ct and 0.59 ct, are E to F color and Internally Flawless to VS1 clarity.
Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Another colored gemstone broke records at the Magnificent Jewels auction on May 13 by Christie’s Geneva. A spectacular 35.09 ct Kashmir sapphire set in a white gold ring with diamond side stones sold for just over $7.45 million, significantly more than the $3.2-$4.3 million estimate analysts had predicted. Sapphires and other colored gemstones have been a draw at auctions for years, but this one is truly exceptional. Kashmir sapphires are highly prized for their deep blue color and luster, and those above 10 carats are extremely rare.
An exceptional sapphire and diamond ring. Photo courtesy of Christie’s.
Pear-Shaped Diamond
Not all gemstones at auction were mounted in jewelry. The 55.52 ct pear-shaped diamond that was auctioned by Christie’s Geneva is exceptional. The diamond sold for just over $9 million, is D color, Flawless clarity, type IIa with Excellent polish and symmetry. Flawless diamonds such as this, though extremely rare, do make an occasional appearance at auctions.
Unmounted 55.52 ct pear-shaped diamond. Photo courtesy of Christie’s.
GIA Grading Results: 55.52 ct, D color, Flawless clarity, Excellent polish and symmetry (GIA Report 1162568312)
Two additional standout pieces this spring were the Sunrise Ruby and Historic Pink Diamond that were auctioned off in Geneva at Sotheby’s on May 12, 2015. These dazzling gemstones were not the only magnificent jewels auctioned off this spring, but they are the most noteworthy of the highlights. What was your favorite piece from the jewelry auctions this spring?
