Precious Pink: "Worthless Rose Quartz Ring" Sells for $2.6m
October 16, 25
(IDEX Online) - A Bulgari ring featuring a 3.18-carat fancy intense pink diamond that was long mistaken for a worthless piece of quartz sold for EUR 2.3m (USD 2.6m) in Italy - more than double its pre-sale high estimate.
It was a family heirloom from the 1970s, passed from grandmother to granddaughter, who believed the center stone was nothing more valuable than a piece of common rose quartz.
It was only when the stone was sent for analysis by the GIA that they realized its true value.
The cut-cornered rectangular, VS2-clarity, Type IIa stone is set in platinum "trombino" ring - a classic Bulgari design inspired by the shape of a small trumpet.
The center stone is surrounded by 64 colorless brilliant and baguette diamonds with a total weight of around 1.93 carats.
The ring was highlight of the Fine Jewels sale by the Aste Bolaffi auction house in Turin on 7 October.
Aste Bolaffi said it was the most expensive lot the company had ever sold and the second-highest-priced jewel ever bought at auction in Italy.
It was expected to fetch EUR 800,000 (USD 860,000) to EUR 1.2m (USD 1.3m).
Pic courtesy Aste Bolaffi.