Sapphire and Diamond Necklace Sells for a Record $16.2m
December 02, 25
(IDEX Online) - The Royal Blue, an iconic necklace of 16 Kashmir royal blue sapphires, weighing 104.61 carats, broke two world records when it sold for $16.2m at Christie's Hong Kong.
It became the most expensive Kashmir sapphire necklace ever sold at auction, beating a November 2018 record held by the 109.08-carat Peacock Necklace, that fetched $15m, also at Christie's Hong Kong.
And it became the most valuable jewel sold at auction in Asia this year. The Royal Blue had a pre-sale estimate of $13m to $19m.
The antique cushion-shaped sapphires range in weight from 13.37 carats (the center stone) to 3.43 carats, and have all been graded royal blue - one of the most sought-after color grades for sapphires.
The necklace also includes 293 individual diamonds, from 1.10 carats to 0.18 carats, D-F color, IF-VS1 clarity, collectively weighing 121.81 carats.
It was the highlight of the Magnificent Jewels live auction on 25 November, part of Christie's Hong Kong Luxury Week.
Magnificent Jewels raised a total of $69.5m, with 92 per cent sold by lot, a hammer price 106 per cent above the low estimate, and close to 60 per cent of lots selling over high estimates.
Pics of the Royal Blue courtesy Christie's Hong Kong.