Earlier this month, Pantone—the worldwide authority on color–determined its color of Spring 2014, called “dazzling blue.” As fashion and home dĂ©cor designs roll out over the coming months, you will surely see lots of this rich cobalt color, and the fall auctions already have a number of “dazzling blue” pieces up for sale.
Perhaps the most dazzling of all is a 7.59 carat Fancy Vivid blue diamond, part of Sotheby’s October 7 Hong Kong auction, Celebrating 40 Years in Asia. As mentioned in an earlier blog, this special auction is also expected to sell an 118.28 carat colorless diamond for a record-setting amount.
With an expected sale price of $19 million, this blue diamond is also expected to break another record for per-carat price for any diamond. Called “The Premier Blue,” the internally flawless blue diamond is larger in size than most shirt buttons, and its size, vivid blue color, and round cut make it exceptionally rare. The round brilliant cut is rarely used in colored diamonds because it is designed to maximize brilliance and lessen the effect of color.  This stone is the largest round brilliant Fancy Vivid blue diamond ever graded by GIA. (Update: the Premier Blue diamond didn’t find a buyer)
The Premier Blue. Image courtesy of Sotheby’s.
While not a blue diamond, this sapphire and diamond ring is an example of why the Kashmir sapphire with its velvety blue appearance is considered by many to be the most desired of all  gems. The 11.81 carat cushion-shaped sapphire in this white gold ring originated the Kashmir mountains, an intersection of three prominent mountain ranges between Pakistan, India and China. The gem’s exceptional appearance suggests that it came from a gem deposit that was exhausted more than 100 years ago. The gem shows no indications of heat treatment, a common treatment to enhance color or clarity in sapphires. A natural sapphire from Kashmir of this size and quality is exceptionally rare, which is why it is expected to fetch somewhere between $1.2 and $2.0 million at Christie’s first Shanghai auction on September 26. (Update: final sale price was $1,688,389)
Sapphire and diamond ring. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images LTD. 2013.
GIA quality analysis: oval-shaped diamonds weighing from 1.02 to 0.51 carat range from D color, VVS1 to VS1 clarity.
Another important blue diamond is included in Christie’s October 15 Magnificent Jewels auction. As one of three spectacular colored diamonds featured in this sale (read more about the fancy yellow diamond) , this 3.81 carat cushion-cut Fancy Vivid blue diamond is set into a ring and expected to sell for $2.5 to $3.5 million.
A Rare Colored Diamond Ring. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images LTD. 2013.
GIA quality analysis: 3.81-carat cushion-cut diamond is fancy vivid blue, natural color, VS1 clarity (GIA report 2155517964)
While not exclusively blue, the number of sapphires in this colored stone Tiffany & Co. bracelet certainly qualifies it as “dazzling.” This unique flexible strap bracelet is decorated with a rose branch designed from emeralds and yellow sapphires set against a background of round white diamonds. It’s topped off with an “evening sky” composed of emerald-cut sapphires around a crown rose-cut diamond “moon.” The intricate design and detail work makes it a special piece, and is expected to sell between $150,000 and $200,000 at Sotheby’s September 24 auction in New York. (Update: final sale price was $173,000)
Platinum, Diamond and Colored Stone ‘Rose’ Bracelet, Tiffany & Co. Image courtesy Sotheby’s.
Do you love blue diamonds and gemstones? Are you excited to see “Dazzling Blue” take over fashion and home décor trends for next spring?
