Rare internally flawless blue diamond up for auction, estimated worth $50 million
The 176-carat Bleu Royal diamond, a truly rare gem, is set to make history at Christie's auction Its internal flawlessness and captivating blue hue make it a coveted masterpiece worth an estimated $50 million
The auctioneer announced that the Bleu Royal, an internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond set in a ring, is expected to be sold for a price of up to $50 million at a Christie's sale of rare jewels in Geneva on November 7. This diamond is considered one of the rarest ever discovered.
"The distinguishing feature of Bleu Royal lies in its exceptional size. Weighing an impressive 17.6 carats, it stands as the largest of its kind," stated Rahul Kadakia, the renowned jewelry expert and Christies' international head.
"Remarkably endowed with a naturally intense hue, this extraordinary gem possesses a flawless internal clarity, exuding unparalleled brilliance."
The diamond, which is set in a ring, will go under the hammer this month as part of Christie's "Magnificent Jewels" sale.
Denis Balibouse/Reuters
In 2016, Christies sold a rare, 14.6-carat blue diamond known as the "Oppenheimer Blue" for more than $57 million.
"We hope it will beat the Oppenheimer," Kadakia said of "Bleu Royal."
"We have toured it all around the world, to Asia, to the US and Europe, and weve had good interest from collectors worldwide."
What is the experience like to make the highest auction bid in history? On a different note, Christies will be organizing an online auction from November 3rd to 16th, featuring a pearl necklace worn by the legendary Audrey Hepburn in the final scene of the 1953 movie "Roman Holiday".
"We priced it at $20,000 to $30,000, so its quite reasonable," Kadakia said. "Everybody can be Audrey Hepburn."
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During the auction, the auctioneer will showcase a Rolex wristwatch that was worn by Marlon Brando in the 1979 film "Apocalypse Now." Brando took the precaution of engraving his signature on the back of the watch to prevent any accidental swapping during filming.
According to Remi Guillemin, the head of watches in Europe at Christies, what sets this particular memorabilia Rolex apart is its unmatched recognition in the auction market. Previously, this watch was sold at an auction two years ago for a staggering price of $2.2 million Swiss francs, and it is currently estimated to be worth between 1 million and 2 million Swiss francs.
"It is indeed highly exceptional to have both pieces from incredible actorsa Rolex from Marlon Brando and a necklace from Audrey Hepburn," Guillemin said.
