April Birthstone: The Diamond
We don’t talk about birthstones every single month, but we love any opportunity to talk about our favorite gemstones. Diamonds are among our favorite gemstones. The diamond is the birthstone…
By Erika W.
Highlights from Christie’s May 18 Sale
Three new world record prices were achieved at Christies Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva. The top lot sold was a D IF Type IIa heart-shaped diamond weighing 56.15 carats. The massive heart was sold to Graff for $10,946,422 setting a new record as the most expensive heart-shaped diamond in the world. A cushion cut Burmese sapphire of 130.50 carats sold for $7,122,742 setting a new world record price for any sapphire sold at auction. An impressive Imperial Mughal spinel necklace sold for $5,210,902 achieving the highest price for any Indian jewel at auction. The Geneva sale garnered $79 million total in jewelry sales.
Photo: AP Photo/Keystone, Christian Brun
In the photo above, a Christie’s employee holds the 56.15 carat D IF Type IIa heart-shaped diamond. The heart sold for $10,946,422 making it the most expensive heart-shaped diamond every sold at auction. The last heart-shaped diamond to set a world record weighed 64.42 carats selling for $5,248,846 at Sotheby’s Geneva.
Photo: Denis Hayoun – Diode SA
The cushion cut Burmese sapphire weighing 130.50 carats achieved a new world record price of $7,122,742 at the May 18 sale. The rare sapphire is surrounded by old cut diamonds in a brooch.
Photo: Denis Hayoun – Diode SA
An Imperial Mughal Spinel Necklace set the third new world record at Christie’s selling for $5,210,902. The necklace is now the most expensive Indian jewel ever sold at auction. The spinels weigh a total of 1,131.59 carats and were most likely mounted in the 19th century.
Photo: Denis Hayoun – Diode SA
A pair of Harry Winston diamond ear pendants with two detachable pear-shaped diamonds weighing 14.85 and 14.59 carats sold for $3,936,342.
Photo: Denis Hayoun – Diode SA
An unmounted K VS2 cushion cut diamond weighing 66.37 carats sold for approximately $3.5 million.
Photo: Denis Hayoun – Diode SA
A Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond ring set with a cushion cut ruby weighing 8.53 carats sold for approximately $2.3 million.
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“The Imperial Cushions” Rare Golconda Diamond Ear Pendants
Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Spring 2011 Preview
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