The diamond auctions of 2016 delivered a year of surprising highs and lows. Several high-profile gemstones and jewellery collections failed to sell, while others achieved record-breaking prices.
In recent years, pink and blue diamonds have become some of the most valuable gemstones at auction. In 2016, a rare green diamond also joined the list of the year’s biggest sellers.
One of the greatest surprises came during Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York in April 2016. The 9.54-carat Shirley Temple Blue Diamond, which had been owned by the actress herself, failed to sell. The one-of-a-kind diamond was estimated to be worth between R343 million and R481 million.
Rubies and sapphires also experienced increased demand at jewellery auctions. Although these gemstones did not reach the list of top-selling lots, several achieved record prices.
The following diamonds and jewellery pieces were among the biggest auction sales of 2016.
The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond
The Oppenheimer Blue became one of the most remarkable diamond auction sales of the year. In May 2016, the 14.62-carat vivid blue, rectangular-cut diamond sold for approximately R794 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva.
De Beers Millennium Blue Diamond
In April 2016, the De Beers Millennium Blue Diamond sold for approximately R438 million at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite auction.
The 10.10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond originated from the renowned Cullinan Mine in South Africa. De Beers first unveiled the diamond in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium.
The Unique Pink Diamond
In May 2016, the 15.38-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond was sold at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction in Geneva.
Known as the Unique Pink, the diamond achieved a remarkable sale price of approximately R429 million.
The Cullinan Dream Diamond
The Cullinan Dream is a 24.18-carat cut-cornered rectangular mixed-cut gemstone. At the time, it was the largest blue diamond ever offered at auction.
In May 2016, the diamond sold for approximately R344 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels and the Cullinan Dream auction in New York.
The rare blue gemstone achieved a price far beyond that of many colourless diamonds offered during the same period.
A Fancy Intense Pink Diamond
In November 2016, a 17.07-carat step-cut fancy intense pink diamond sold for approximately R282 million at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction in Geneva.
Miroir de l’Amour, the Mirror of Love
The Miroir de l’Amour, also known as the Mirror of Love, is a pair of pear-shaped diamond drop earrings weighing approximately 52.55 and 50.47 carats.
At the time, they were the largest pair of pear-shaped diamond drop earrings ever offered at auction.
Created by Boehmer et Bassenge, the earrings sold for approximately R241 million in November 2016.
Pear-Shaped Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond
Another diamond to reach the list of the year’s largest auction sales was a 7.32-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond.
The diamond sold for approximately R233 million at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction in Geneva in May 2016.
The Sky Blue Diamond
The Sky Blue Diamond is an exceptionally rare vivid blue diamond designed by Cartier.
Featuring exceptional polish and a Type IIb classification, the diamond sold for approximately R231 million at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction in Geneva in November 2016.
The Aurora Green Diamond
The Aurora Green became the largest and most expensive vivid green diamond ever sold at auction at the time.
The 5.03-carat diamond had previously been held by Scarselli Diamonds. It sold for approximately R228 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Hong Kong on 31 May 2016.
