A four-strand natural saltwater pearl necklace set a world auction record when it sold to a bidder from Asia for just over $5 million at Christie’s New York (April 14th). The necklace was the second highest-grossing lot of the sale and was the only lot to set a new world auction record.
Meet the Ultimate Emerald-Cut Diamond. The 100.20 carat D color internally flawless emerald-cut diamond will go up for auction at Sotheby’s, April 21, 2015. The stone originated from a rough diamond weighing over 200 carats, found in southern Africa by De Beers. It took the owner over a year to cut and polish the diamond.
The “Dreams of Diamonds” exhibit will be on view at the Gemological Institute of America from April 29 to May 11. It will feature 25 diamond pieces, including a pair of boots set with 1,527 carats of diamonds and a 50.05-carat flawless D-color diamond. More than 4,000 carats of diamonds will be on display. The exhibit coincides with a debut of a book on these stunning and unique pieces.
The book was put together by British photography and design team Alastair Laidlaw and Christine Marsden. It is a massive oversized ‘Super Book’ that features full print size images and weighs more than 30 pounds. The book took six years to complete, featuring the diamonds and jewelry in unusual, “dream-like” settings.
The items featured in the book were provided by 12 of the world’s best-known diamantaires and designers. Seven of them: Adler Joailliers, Chatila, Chow Tai Fook, Diacore, Mouawad, and Munnu The Gem Palace, are loaning pieces for the exhibit at GIA.
Appointments are necessary to see this exhibit. Head to GIA’s website for details.
© Sothebys
On Nov. 20 a 9.75 ct fancy vivid blue pear-shaped diamond hit the auction block at Sotheby's New York. A frenzied 20 minute bidding war between seven people ensued ending with the stone fetching $3.3 million a carat ($32.6 million total), setting a new record for any diamond's per-carat price sold at auction.
The price tops the 14.82 carat vivid orange sold by Christie's in Geneva which sold at $2.3 million a carat ($35.5 million total). The diamond has also set a record as the most expensive diamond ever, a spot previously held by the Wittlesbach-Gaff sold in 2008.
The blue has been dubbed "The Zoe" by its current owner, A Hong Kong collector who remains anonymous.
The cushion-shaped ruby weighing 8.62 carats, set between triangular diamond shoulders within a mount decorated throughout with brilliant-cut diamonds, size 59, signed Graff, together with an alternative ring mount, Graff. Photo Courtesy of Sothebys
The November 12th, 2014 Sotheby's Geneva auction was lead by a truly magnificent pigeon-blood colored ruby known as the "Graff Ruby". The ring was originally sold at auction nine years ago and was purchased by noted jeweller Laurence Graff for a record breaking price. He later named the ruby "The Graff Ruby".
In Geneva the ring again fetched a record breaking amount (selling for $8,600,410). The ring was part of the Collection of Dimitri Mavrommatis (16 pieces) which also included a rare 27.54 carat step-cut Kashmir sapphire, as well as several pieces by contemporary jewelers, Graff and JAR (who was represented by a pair of superb sapphire, ruby and diamond earrings).
The step-cut sapphire weighing 27.54 carats, set between pear-shaped diamond shoulders, size 53, together with an alternative ring mount, Graff. Photo Courtesy of Sothebys
The "Graff" Ruby information:
The piece was accompanied by Gübelin report stating that the ruby is of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating. The SSEF report together with a letter stating:
"The Graff Ruby...The described gemstones exhibits an impressive weight and purity, combined with a very pleasant shape and cutting style. The faint inclusions found by microscopic inspection represent the hallmarks of the reputed deposit of Mogok in Burma (Myanmar). The stone has been spared to exposure of thermal treatment and its clarity and colour are natural. Its vivid red, poetically referred to as 'pigeon blood' is due to a combination of well balanced trace elements in the stone, typical and characteristic for rubies of the Mogok gemstone tract. Natural Mogok rubies from this size, colour and clarity represent a great rarity and the Graff ruby with its combination of outstanding characteristics is a very exceptional gemstone."
The Blue Belle of Asia Sold by Christie's Geneva
The Christie's November 11th auction shatters the world record for any sapphire sold at an auction with the Blue Belle of Asia fetching a staggering US$17.7 million.
The 392.52 carats cushion-cut Ceylon sapphire is the world’s fourth largest faceted blue sapphire and was listed as the second most expensive lot at the sale (estimate $6.9 – 9.9 million), however it soon outperformed the highest estimated lot, colored diamond and diamond ear pendants by Bulgari.
The enormous blue sapphire has a provenance dating back to 1937. This is an even larger landmark notice as this was also the first time that a blue sapphire or a colored gemstone lot had been at the top of a public auction and outperformed diamond containing lots.
The record breaking Blue Belle of Asia sold by Christie's
The 2015 AGTA Spectrum award winners were announced. The categories cover everything from objects of art, faceted stones, carved stones, and jewelry for every occasion you can think of.
Here is just a taste of the entries that I thought were truly spectacular.
1st Place Cut Stones: Phenomenal category, Robert Shapiro Madison, WI
Natural split pair of boulder Opals (60.50 ctw.).
Editors' Choice: Evening Wear Gregore Joailliers Santa Barbara, CA
18K white gold "Sometime This Spring"
earrings featuring Mexican fire Opals (68.88 ctw.) accented with round Diamonds (2.19 ctw.).
Honorable Mention: Men's Wear William Travis Jewelry Chapel Hill, NC
18K yellow gold and sterling silver ring featuring a 13.17 ct. Citrine.
1st Place Carving Naomi Sarna Designs New York, NY
"Rose de France" Amethyst carving (1015 ctw.).
2nd Place Evening Wear Erica Courtney, Inc. Los Angeles, CA
18K yellow gold "Milky Way" earrings featuring Opal drops
(46.06 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.98 ctw.) and Paraiba Tourmalines (2.03 ctw.).
