Christie's Geneva Sale Sets Record Raising $150M

The ear pendants bought by Laurence Graff.

Jeweler Laurence Graff bought a pair of fancy vivid blue and fancy vivid pink diamond ear pendants for $15,820,731.

Meanwhile, a 392.52-carat Ceylon sapphire called the Blue Belle of Asia sold for $17,295,796 and set a new world record for any sapphire.

Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Christie’s Jewellery Department, said there were 600 registrants for the sale from more than 30 countries. The JAR ‘Parrot Tulip’ bangle bracelet realized $3,595,853 … and established the second-highest price for a creation by JAR. Jewels from major collections also realized exceptional prices such as the Art Deco natural pearl and diamond necklace from the private collection of the Baroness Edouard de Rothschild which sold for $5,195,369.”

The highest selling jewelry piece made with only diamonds and precious metals was a pair of colored diamond ear pendants by Bulgari that sold for $16.1 million.

The sale was 89 percent sold by lot and 94 percent by value.