【Geneva, Swit】Bleu Royal: Not Everyone Was Allowed to Bid Here

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Editor’s Note

This article details the record-breaking auction of the “Bleu Royal” diamond in Geneva, exploring the unique qualities that contribute to the extraordinary value of such rare gems.

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A Diamond of Superlatives

Christie’s auctioned a diamond of superlatives in Geneva.

Why was the Bleu Royal auctioned for so much money?

According to diamond expert and goldsmith Yves Betschman, the value of a multi-carat diamond is fundamentally determined by its rarity:

“The rarer a diamond is, the more expensive it is.”

According to Christie’s spokesperson, Alexandra Kindermann, red and blue diamonds are the most sought-after colored diamonds. At 17.61 carats, the Bleu Royal is the largest blue diamond ever offered at auction, which also explains its price. Furthermore, it is flawless and possesses the highest possible color saturation.

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“Moreover, the Bleu Royal is back on the market for the first time in 40 years, which made the gemstone even more attractive to bidders,” said Kindermann.
Who typically buys such a diamond?

According to Betschman, such diamonds are often purchased by Asian buyers.

“In countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, or India, high-carat diamonds are still considered a status symbol that visually sets the buyer apart from the crowd.”

The uniqueness of a gemstone is paramount:

“People who buy such expensive diamonds usually already have everything money can buy. It’s about owning something that no one else has.”
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In Europe, however, values have shifted.

“Ostentation and pomp are no longer in vogue here.”
Was everyone allowed to bid?

Not everyone was allowed to bid:

“Participants had to undergo a personal vetting process and prove they had the financial means to actually purchase the diamond,” said Kindermann.

If a customer successfully completed this process, they received an individual bidder number linked to their registration:

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“Only then could one bid.”

According to Kindermann, a total of around 900 people from 51 countries had registered for the Geneva Luxury Auction Week.

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⏰ Published on: November 07, 2023