The Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction at the Four Season Hotel des Bergues in Geneva on May 15 presented a selection of historical and modern jewels from all periods, as well as from the most famous jewelery houses such as Harry Winston, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and many others. But not only. One of the stars of the day was The Yellow Rose, a rare deep yellow fancy diamond weighing an exceptional 202.18 carats (40.4 grams). The diamond has a pear cut and was mined in South Africa. Of course, it is GIA certified. Other characteristics: SI1 clarity, excellent polish and symmetry, medium blue fluorescence. It sold for $6.7 million, exceeding its pre-sale estimate of approximately $4.4 million. It is the second highest price ever paid for a yellow diamond weighing more than 200 carats at Christie’s, the auction house said. The jewelry sale brought in a total of 49.2 million francs ($54.2 million). The auction sold 97% by lot and 98% by value.
Highlights in the auction also included a sensational Art Deco diamond and onyx brooch. The diamonds are old cut, calibré cut, pear-shaped, square and fancy set in platinum. The brooch is from around 1920, signed Cartier, New York. It was sold for 638,140. Among the most interesting lots also for sale are a 23.15-carat D Internally Flawless diamond ring from Taffin, a 17.60-carat Colombian emerald and a magnificent 11.03-carat Kashmir sapphire ring.
