The Orange creates world record price per carat for any diamond sold at auction

The Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels Sale held this week, had offered THE ORANGE diamond, which appeared as the largest fancy vivid orange diamond (14.82 carats) ever offered at auction. This stone went down the hammer for $35,540,612 or $2.4m per carat, creating a world record price per carat for any diamond sold at auction, as well as a world record price for an orange diamond.

François Curiel, International Head of Christie's Jewellery Department, declared: “Time and again, a stone will appear on the market that is truly a miracle of nature. The 14.82ct orange diamond is one such a stone, a rare gem, which will perhaps only be seen once in a lifetime. In the sale on Tuesday, it soared far above all previous records for any orange diamond ever sold at auction, placing The Orange amongst the greatest pinks and blues, which are traditionally the most appreciated coloured diamonds.”

Pure orange diamonds over 5 carats are rare to appear at auction. THE ORANGE diamond is the largest ever offered at auction and is now also the most valuable, having realised $35,540,612. ‘In a $125 million auction, the Orange, the Patiño collection, natural pearls, Royal jewels and stylish creations from the collection of Hélène Rochas were competed for with a passion rarely seen before. The energy in the auction room was constant throughout the sale with collectors and members of the trade bidding without abandon’, said Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewellery, Christie's Switzerland and Americas. In total, the auction generated revenues worth $125,360,131. Jewels formerly part of the collection of Simón Itturi Patiño, known as ‘The Andean Rockefeller’, sold well above their pre-sale estimates totaling $14.7 million. Jewellery from the collection of Parisian style icon Hélène Rochas sold 100 percent, churning revenues worth $2.3 million.

The auction saw 22 lots being sold above $1 million.