Diamond Earrings set Australia Auction Record
August 15, 21
(IDEX Online) - A pair of diamond pendant earrings sold for an Australian record price of US$590,000.
They were the priciest lot in the online and phone auction by Melbourne-based Leonard Joel, selling mid-way between the high and low pre-sale estimates US$550,000 and US$620,000 (all prices IBP).
The earrings (pictured) featured an 8.88-ct and an 8.76-ct diamond, both claw set, cushion modified brilliant-cut. Both stones were graded H/VS2 by GIA.
They were each framed by a halo of approximately 1.40-cts of smaller diamonds.
Leonard Joel said they were the most expensive earrings sold in the country at auction.
Another highlight of the sale, last Thursday, was an antique cushion-shaped 9.67-ct diamond (F/VVS2) set in a ring between a pair of Argyle fancy pink diamonds. It fetched US$530,000, making it one of three most expensive diamonds ever sold in Australia.