Editor’s Note
A 17.6-carat vivid blue diamond, known as the “Bleu Royal,” has sold for $43.8 million at Christie’s Geneva, setting a new benchmark for rare jewels.
The largest and most flawless vivid blue diamond ever offered at auction sold for a staggering $43.8 million at a Christie’s rare jewels sale in Geneva on Tuesday, the auction house said.
The brilliant blue diamond, known as the “Bleu Royal” and set in a ring, is among the rarest ever unearthed. Weighing 17.6 carats, the diamond had a pre-sale estimate of up to $50 million.
Max Fawcett, head of Christie’s jewelry department in Geneva, said the diamond was unique for its intense blue color and its brilliant, unmodified pear shape.
At its Tuesday auction, Christie’s sold dozens of rare jewelry pieces for a combined total of over $77 million.
In a separate sale on Monday, Christie’s sold a Rolex wristwatch worn by Marlon Brando in the 1979 film “Apocalypse Now” for more than 4.5 million Swiss francs ($4.99 million).
The actor engraved his signature on the back to prevent the watch from being accidentally switched during filming.
Two years ago, the same watch sold at auction for 2 million Swiss francs.