WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A RUBY
THE ‘HISTORIC PINK DIAMOND’
12 May 2015 – This evening’s auction of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva achieved a total of CHF 149,851,375 / US$ 160,914,902 (est. in excess of CHF 87 million) – the highest ever total for any jewellery auction. 94% of lots sold this evening and highlights include:
A new world auction record for a ruby: the ‘Sunrise Ruby’, an exceptional and immeasurably rare 25.59-carat Burmese stone, sold for CHF 28.3m / US$ 30.3m (est. CHF 11.7 -17.5m / US$ 12-18m).
Speaking after the sale, David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division, commented: “Tonight’s record result is the reflection of the outstanding quality of the pieces in the sale across the board. The ‘Sunrise Ruby’ captivated me from the moment I saw it – such an exquisite stone truly deserved the multiple-record-breaking price this evening.
"The exceptional results achieved for the other Cartier jewels in the sale - including two world auction records for sapphires – and for ‘The Historic Pink Diamond’ are evidence that the market for exceptional jewels is going from strength to strength.
"The galleries have been brimming with collectors during our worldwide exhibitions, and this translated into lively bidding throughout the sale tonight with truly global demand for the finest diamonds, gemstones and signed pieces of the very highest order.”
‘THE SUNRISE RUBY’
A new world auction record for a ruby A new world auction record for a ruby per carat A new world auction record for a jewel by Cartier
This price more than triples the previous record of CHF 8,285,000 / $8,600,410 (CHF 961,137 / $997,727 per carat) set by the superb 8.62-carat ‘Graff Ruby’ at Sotheby’s Geneva on 12 November 2014
Mounted by Cartier and weighing an exceptional 25.59 carats, the stone’s world record price reflects its extraordinary size and outstanding colour (Lot 502, estimate: CHF 11.7 – 17.5m / US$ 12 – 18m)
‘THE HISTORIC PINK DIAMOND’ GIA MONOGRAPH
Believed by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA), to once have been part of the outstanding collection of Princess Mathilde of Bonaparte, Napoleon I’s niece
The exquisite 8.72-carat stone only recently resurfaced, having been kept in a bank vault since the 1940s
Boasting VS2 clarity and mesmerising colour, the stone is also remarkable for its classic non-modified cushion cut, unusual in a pink diamond and a highly sought-after shape for connoisseurs of the very finest precious jewels. (Lot 460 estimate : CHF 13.7-17.5m / US$ 14-18m)
EXCEPTIONAL MODERN JEWELS BY CARTIER
From the same outstanding private collection as the ‘Sunrise Ruby’, three further sensational modern pieces by Cartier ranked among the stand-out jewels in the spring sale.
Together the four jewels by Cartier achieved an outstanding total of CHF 43,924,000 / US$ 47,166,909 (est. CHF 21.7m -34.3m)
EXEMPLARY PROVENANCE: THE ROXBURGHE COLLECTION
A strikingly varied and rich selection of 17 delightful pieces from the Estate of Mary, Duchess of Roxburghe was 100% sold, together realising a total of CHF 7,486,000 / US$ 8,038,691 – six times the pre-sale low estimate (est. CHF 1.5m – 2.3m).
Among the highlights:
A stunning tiara created by Cartier in the 1930s found a buyer for CHF 2,410,000 / US$ 2,587,930 (LOT 497, estimate: CHF 295,000 – 485,000 / US$ 300,000 – 500,000)
A second exquisite diamond tiara from the collection, which dates from the 19th century and can also be worn as a necklace, was sold for CHF 790,000 / US$ 848,326 after a prolonged five minute battle between two bidders in the room (LOT 493, estimate CHF 295,000 – 485,000 / US$ 300,000 – 500,000).
CONTINUING STRONG DEMAND FOR NATURAL PEARLS
Connoisseurs of the very finest natural pearls were active in the sale this evening, recognising exceptional quality including:
A superb and extremely rare natural double-strand pearl and diamond necklace, bought for CHF 6,552,000 / US$ 7,003,519 – a new record for a two-row natural pearl necklace (LOT 498, estimate CHF 2.9 – 4.9m / US$ 3 – 5m).
FASCINATING SIGNED PIECES: CARTIER - SCHLUMBERGER - BOUCHERON
The most accomplished design and craftsmanship were also in the spotlight thanks to a selection of stand- out signed pieces. These included:
A rare and superb gem set vanity case by Cartier, made in 1925, which was sold for CHF 274,000 / US$ 294,229 (LOT 451, estimate: CHF 110,000 – 160,000 / US$ 115,000 – 165,000)
A delightful pair of captivating gem set and diamond “Tutti-Frutti” clips which achieved CHF 466,000 / US$ 500,405 (LOT 469, estimate: CHF 69,000 – 98,000 / US$ 70,000 – 100,000)
French design was also represented thanks to an important ruby and diamond bangle-bracelet by Boucheron, which realised CHF 910,000 / US$ 977,185 (LOT 472, estimate: CHF 390,000 – 680,000 / US$ 400,000 - 700,000
A striking 1960s gem-set and diamond demi-parure by Jean Schlumberger, which was bought for CHF 162,500 / US$ 174,497 (LOT 453, estimate: CHF 69,000 – 105,000 / US$ 70,000 – 110,000).
AUCTION RECORDS SET THIS EVENING AT SOTHEBY’S
World auction record price for a ruby
‘The Sunrise Ruby', extremely rare Burmese Ruby weighing 25.59 carats (lot 502) sold for CHF 28,250,000 / US$ 30,335,698
Previous record for any ruby: The ‘Graff Ruby’, a Burmese Ruby weighing 8.62 carats, sold for CHF 8,285,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva in November 2014
World auction record price per carat for a ruby
‘The Sunrise Ruby', extremely rare Burmese Ruby weighing 25.59 carats (lot 502) sold for CHF 28,250,000 / US$ 30,335,698 (CHF 1,103,947 / US$ 1,185,451 per carat)
Previous record for a ruby per carat: The ‘Graff Ruby’, a Burmese Ruby weighing 8.62 carats, sold for CHF 8,285,000 (CHF 961,137 per carat) at Sotheby’s Geneva in November 2014
World auction record price for a jewel by Cartier
‘The Sunrise Ruby', extremely rare Burmese Ruby weighing 25.59 carats (lot 502) sold for CHF 28,250,000/ US$ 30,335,698
Previous record for a jewel by Cartier: The highly important Hutton-Mdivani jadeite necklace sold for US$ 27,441,026 at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in April 2014
World auction record price for a pair of Burmese sapphire earrings
Previous record for a pair of Burmese sapphire earrings: a pair with a combined weight of 32.34 carats sold for US$ 1,383,130 at Christie’s Hong Kong in November 2010
World auction record price for a Kashmir sapphire jewel
Previous record for a Kashmir sapphire: a ring weighing 27.54 carats sold for US$5,984,474 at Sotheby’s Geneva in November 2014
The previous record for any jewellery auction was CHF 147,256,875 (US$ 150,216,738) set in November 2014 at Christie’s Geneva.
OTHER GEMS SOLD IN THE SAME AUCTION
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