Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva generated CHF 96,860,750 (US$97,117,588) in total sales, bringing the total for all Geneva auctions throughout 2016 to CHF 282,534,174 (US$277,388,633.37).
The November sale concluded the company’s 250th anniversary sale season in Geneva.
According to the auction house, the sale was driven by international interest and appeal for exceptional and privately sourced objects. The top lot was an exceptional pear-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond of 9.14 carats, achieving the second highest price for a pink pear-shaped diamond sold at auction at CHF18,127,500 (US$18,174,631) or a price per carat of $2 million.
Rahul Kadakia, international head of Christie’s Jewellery Department, commented “The sale showed depth and stability of the market, combined with international interest for the best lots offered in the auction market. The two outstanding lots by Boehmer et Bassenge established the highest price for any pair of earrings ever sold at auction. The pink diamond established the second highest price for a pear-shaped pink diamond sold at auction and also demonstrated the continued demand for exceptional stones.”
To mark Christie’s 250th anniversary, the November Magnificent Jewels auction offered eight lots, which have passed once or twice already through Christie’s salerooms at some point in its long history. Another highlight of the sale was an Art Déco ruby and diamond bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels, which sold for CHF 1,291,500 (US$1,294,857), four times its pre-sale estimate.
[Source:- jewellerynewsasia]