During a recent Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva, an unmounted pear-cut 202.18-carat fancy-intense-yellow SI1-clarity diamond sold for $6.7 million, which marked the second-highest price for a stone of its color and size.
The Yellow Rose diamond originated from South Africa and it’s only the third stone of this class and caliber to appear at an auction. The stone was one of several high-value jewels in the auction that cumulatively brought in $54.2 million at the Magnificent Jewels sale.
Among the highlights of the auction were a 25.20-carat pink sapphire that sold for $1.5 million; a cushion-shaped, 11.03-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring that brought in $1.4 million; and a cushion-shaped, 5.03-carat, pigeon’s blood Burmese ruby ring with old-cut diamonds that fetched $1.4 million.
“There is nothing better as an auctioneer than a full and engaged saleroom, and to achieve such strong results…is remarkable,” Rapaport quotes Max Fawcett, head of jewels for Christie’s in Europe, as saying.
“The market for colored gemstones and signed jewelry is on fire, and I could not think of a better way to start the 2024 season.”
Theodor Lisovoy, Editor in Chief of the European bureau, Rough&Polished
