Bleu Royal diamond sold for nearly $44 million at auction
Rare 176-carat Bleu Royal diamond sets a record, selling for nearly $44 million at Christie's auction Unearthed as one of the world's rarest diamonds, it captivates with its stunning beauty and exceptional value
The largest fancy vivid blue diamond ever auctioned, which was internally flawless, has been sold for an astonishing $43.8 million at a prestigious Christies jewel sale in Geneva. The diamond, named "Bleu Royal," is set in a ring and is considered one of the most exceptional and scarce gems ever discovered. Prior to the auction, the 17.6-carat diamond was valued at up to $50 million.
"The stone made almost $44 million," said Rahul Kadakia, Christies international head of jewelry.
"Its a huge amount of money given whats going on in the world today."
The "Bleu Royal" diamond on display ahead of Tuesday's sale.
Denis Balibouse/Reuters
Max Fawcett, head of Christies jewelry department in Geneva, said the diamond was unique because of its a deep rich blue color and its unmodified pear brilliant shape.
"It checked all the boxes, which is why we successfully enthused collectors worldwide, spanning from the Far East to America," he expressed, "We are thrilled with the outcome."
During its Tuesday auction, Christies sold numerous exceptional jewelry pieces, accumulating a staggering total of over $77 million.
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"Its clear that the market is still very strong in certain areas," Fawcett said.
"Colored gemstones and signed jewelry had exceptional performance, reflecting the strong demand for rare items. Even now, collectors continue to seek out the finest pieces. In a separate auction held on Monday, Christies achieved a remarkable sale of a Rolex wristwatch worn by Marlon Brando in the iconic 1979 film 'Apocalypse Now,' fetching over 4.5 million Swiss francs ($4.99 million)."
The actor had engraved his signature on the back to avoid having it swapped accidentally during shooting.
Two years ago, that same watch sold at auction for 2 million Swiss francs.
