In a groundbreaking event at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva, the Bleu Royal diamond, an exceptionally rare 17.61-carat internally flawless fancy vivid blue gem, secured a historic sale of over $40 million. The pear-shaped diamond, celebrated as the largest of its kind ever auctioned, showcases an extraordinary natural color, requiring no modification to enhance its brilliance.
The spirited seven-minute bidding war concluded with an anonymous private collector acquiring the Bleu Royal for 39.505 million Swiss francs ($43.8 million), inclusive of tax and fees. Max Fawcett, Christie’s head of jewelry in Geneva, expressed immense satisfaction, highlighting the gem’s remarkable sale at nearly $2.5 million per carat. This achievement positions it as the most expensive jewelry lot sold globally in 2023 and ranks among the top-10 most expensive lots in the history of jewelry auctions.
Having resided in a private collection for decades, the Bleu Royal’s debut at auction captivated collectors worldwide. Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s international head of jewelry, underscored the diamond’s exceptional quality, emphasizing the rich rough material that enabled a classic brilliant faceting style.
Fancy vivid blue diamonds exceeding 10 carats are exceptionally rare, with only three such stones appearing for sale at Christie’s since its inception in 1766. The Bleu Royal’s sale now joins the prestigious ranks of blue diamonds like the Oppenheimer Blue, which set a record at $57.5 million in 2016.
This historic auction in Geneva also featured iconic items from movie history, including Audrey Hepburn’s pearl necklace from ‘Roman Holiday’ and Marlon Brando’s self-engraved Rolex GMT-Master from ‘Apocalypse Now.’ As the auction season continues, Sotheby’s prepares to host a Magnificent Jewels sale, showcasing stunning gems and imperial and royal jewelry collections.
