【Geneva, Swit】Mellon Blue Meets Expectations

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Editor’s Note

This article reports on the recent auction of the rare “Mellon Blue” diamond, which sold for $25.6 million at Christie’s in Geneva.

Una empleada de Christie’s muestra el Mellon Blue, diamante azul que anteayer cambió de propietario
Auction Result

GENEVA (AP).— A blue diamond of nearly 10 carats was sold at auction in Switzerland for $25.6 million, including commissions.

The Mellon Blue, a 9.51-carat pear-shaped diamond named after the late American arts patron Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, was expected to fetch between $20 million and $30 million at Christie’s sale the day before yesterday.

The auction house reported that the gem was acquired within the estimated range. The final price includes the “buyer’s premium” and other fees.

Market Reaction
“It wasn’t the dazzling moment I expected,” admitted Tobias Kormind, managing director of the online jewelry retailer 77 Diamonds.

He added that the gem was “touted as the highlight of the season” but was affected by a negative market environment.

“Geopolitical tensions—from the war in Ukraine to Trump’s tariffs—and a weakened Chinese economy that kept many regular buyers away left the room notably cautious,” he stated.
Historical Comparison

It was very different from the record sale of a blue diamond: Christie’s says its highest price for a vivid blue diamond was set in Geneva in 2016 when the 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue was auctioned for $57 million.

The Mellon Blue was previously sold in 2014, the year Mellon died, for $32.6 million.

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⏰ Published on: December 08, 2025