Even in these challenging times, auction sales seem to be performing strongly. Two watched-out-for auctions – that of the Blue Moon Diamond by Sotheby’s and the sale of the Fancy Vivid Pink diamond by Christie’s – have amply proved this.

“A new world auction record for any diamond of any colour was set today when the sensational Blue Moon Diamond sold for CHF 48.6 million ($48.5 million) (over $4 million per carat) at Sotheby’s in Geneva (estimate: $35-55m),” announced Sotheby’s. “Among the world’s largest known fancy vivid blue diamonds, the exquisite stone weighing 12.03 carats, boasts internally flawless clarity and truly outstanding colour. The prior auction record for any diamond had been held by The Graff Pink (24.78 carats), which sold for US$ 46.2 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2010.”

Notably, The Blue Moon Diamond has set a new benchmark of  price-per-carat for any diamond, the auction house declared, surpassing the high mark established  last year at Sotheby’s New York by The Zoe Diamond (US$ 3.3 million per carat).  

The Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels  sale held yesterday, at which  The Blue Moon Diamond was the star lot, earned a total revenue of  CHF 139.6 million (US$139 million).

On the other hand, Christie’s claimed the world record for the “largest pink diamond of its type at auction” for the cushion-shaped Fancy Vivid Pink diamond of approximately 16.08 carats, which it said was “the largest cushion-shaped diamond of its type to come to auction”.

At Christie’s Geneva sale of Magnificent Jewels on  November 10, the jewel was sold for    CHF 28,725,000 (US$ 28,523,925; €26,484,450).

 “The stone, which is set as a ring with a double row of pavé-set white diamonds which surround and highlight the main stone, with a third row of small pink diamonds underneath, was bought by a private Asian buyer, who named it ‘Sweet Josephine’ immediately after the sale,” Christie’s announced.

The  auction  fetched a total of CHF 110,264,375 (US$109,492,525;€101,663,753), and sold  80 per cent of the inventory put up by lot and 86 per cent by value.

“Selling the largest vivid pink cushion-shaped diamond to come to auction is a privilege and to sell it for a new world auction record prize is a strong indication that there is still demand from clients from the (high) end of the market for these truly precious stones,” Kadakia commented. “This is also true for pieces of historic or royal provenance which similarly attracted a lot of interest during the viewing and sold above estimate.”

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The Blue Moon Diamond