Editor’s Note
A rare 17.61-carat blue diamond, the “Bleu Royal,” has set a new auction record, selling for 39.5 million Swiss francs in Geneva and entering the list of the ten most expensive jewels ever sold.
A rare blue diamond has sold for 39.5 million Swiss francs (41 million euros) at an auction in Geneva.
The 17.61-carat gemstone named “Bleu Royal” is now among the ten most expensive jewels ever sold at auction, according to a spokesperson for auction house Christie’s. The winning bid on Tuesday came from an anonymous private collector who outbid two other contenders.
The “Bleu Royal,” set on a ring, is the largest flawless, vivid blue diamond ever offered at auction, according to Christie’s. The teardrop-shaped stone, approximately 13 millimeters long and 8 millimeters wide, had a pre-sale estimate ranging from 32.8 million to 46.8 million euros. The seller of the ring was not disclosed.