As we have reported several times, stones and jewels are now a growing investment, a kind of safe haven: this is also demonstrated by the Christie’s auction on November 11 in Geneva. The sale of Magnificent Jewels reached 150 million dollars, or almost 121 million euros. Statistics say that 89% of the lot was sold and 94% in value. It is a world record: it is the highest total for the sale of Magnificent Jewels ever achieved. If we then add the fine watches at auction, we arrive at 185 million dollars (about 150 million euros). To this overall result we add the top with the “Blue Belle of Asia”, a sapphire sold for 17.2 million dollars, a new record price for a stone of this type sold at auction. Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewellery, commented proudly: “We welcomed over 600 bidders to the sale, from over 30 countries. We are extremely proud that the Belle Blue from Asia has set a new world record. A private collector, who was sitting in the auction room, is now the new owner of the world’s most valuable sapphire. The JAR Parrot Tulip bracelet realized $3.5 million and set the second highest price for a JAR creation. Other jewels from important collections also realized exceptional prices, such as the Art Deco natural pearl and the diamond necklace from the private collection of Baroness Edouard de Rothschild, which sold for $5.1 million.”
