Oppenheimer Blue sets new world record at Christie’s Magnificent jewels sale

Christie’s Magnificent jewels sale unfolded on 18 May at Geneva, concluding the 48th Christie’s Spring Season with a combined total of US$169,528,430. The highlight of the week was the Oppenheimer Blue diamond which sold for US$57,541,779, setting a new world record for any jewel sold at auction. The exceptional stone was acquired after 25 minutes of bidding.

At the sale, the Superb Jewels from the collection of H.S.H. Gabriela Princess zu Leiningen realised US$22,536,783 selling 100 percent by lot bringing the total of the jewellery auction to US$148,639,176.

Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Christie's Jewellery Department said, “Once again, the Magnificent jewels sale was a great success welcoming clients from all over the world. Selling the Oppenheimer blue diamond was a real priviledge and the result of SFr.56,8M proves that there is still a strong demand for high end quality stones. Provenance is also a key element to success as it was the case for The Superb Jewels from the collection of H.S.H Gabriela Princess zu Leiningen which totaled SFr.22.2M with 100 % of sold lots, highlighted by the Pohl diamond which sold for SFr.4,309,000/US$4,362,432 (US$120,876 per carat).

The Geneva season started on Monday 16 May with the auction of Rare Watches including important private collections which realised US$18,838,656. The top lot of the sale was the exceptional Charles-Louis Havas Breguet et Fils pocket watch which sold for US$3,322,880, becoming the most expensive watch sold during the spring season in Geneva and is the second most expensive Breguet et Fils watch ever sold at auction. Thomas Perazzi, Head of the Geneva Watch department said, “This sale which sold 157 percent above the low estimate, showed the strong presence of international private clients.” On 17th May, the Fine and Rare wine sale fetched $US2,016,852.