Biggest Diamond Auctions of 2016
Last year’s diamond auction debuted many ups and downs. For example, a lot of high-profile gemstones and jewellery collections didn’t manage to sell, while other items set new price records.
For the past few years, pink and blue diamonds have become the highest sellers in the market. This year a rare green diamond also made the list of becoming one of the biggest sellers.
What truly came as a surprise during the Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels auction in April 2016 was that the 9.54-carat Shirley Temple Blue, owned by the actress herself, failed to sell. The going price for the one of a kind diamond is between R343 – R481 million.
Rubies and sapphires on the other hand have become high in demand during the diamond sale. Even though the gemstones didn’t reach the top seller list, they have reached a record in price.
The items that have made the top seller’s list is the following:
The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond
The stellar diamond auction that broke the record for selling at an exceptional price at an auction is the Oppenheimer Blue. In May 2016 the 14.62-carat vivid blue rectangular-cut diamond sold for R794 million at the Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale.
De Beers Millennium Blue Diamond
During April the De Beers Millennium Blue diamond sold for R438 million at the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite auction. The 10.10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond comes from a renowned Cullinan mine in South Africa. De Beers unveiled the diamond in 2000 to celebrate the millennium.
The Unique Pink Diamond
In May 2016 the 15.38-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond was sold at Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale for a record price. The Unique Pink sold for a whopping R429 million.
The Cullinan Dream Diamond
The Cullinan Dream, a 24.18-carat cut-cornered rectangular mixed-cut gem was the biggest blue diamond to be offered at an auction. In May, the beauty sold for an estimated R344 million at Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels & the Cullinan Dream auction. A diamond of a different colour, namely white diamonds, did not even come close to the sale price of this rare, glittering blue gem.
A Fancy Intense Pink Diamond
In November last year a 17.07-carat fancy intense pink diamond with a step-cut sold for an estimated R282 million at Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction.
Miroir de l’Amour (Mirror of Love)
The Miroir de l’Amour, also known as the Mirror of Love is around 52.55 and 50.47 carats making it the largest pear-shaped diamond drop earrings ever to be offered at an auction. In November 2016 the diamond earring by Boehmer et Bassenge sold for R241 million.
Pear-shaped Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond
Another diamond that made the top of the list was a pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond that sold for about R233 million. The 7.32-carat diamond made its debut in May at the Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction.
The Sky Blue Diamond
The diamond with exceptional polish and Type llb grading was sold for R231 million during the Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in November. The ultra-rare vivid blue diamond, also known as the Sky Blue diamond, was designed by Cartier.
The Aurora Green Diamond
The Aurora Green diamond has become the largest and most expensive vivid green diamond to be sold at an auction. The 5.03-carat diamond, that was previously retained by Scarselli Diamonds, and the final diamond auction price was an estimated R228 million at the Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels sale on 31 May.
