|
RAPAPORT... Bonhams London sold an extremely rare 5.30-carat, fancy deep-blue diamond today for $9.5 million (GPB 6.2 million), or $1.8 million per carat, to Graff. The auction house stated that bidding on this gemstone came from around the world through 25 telephone lines as well as from those in the packed sales room .
The cushion-shape blue diamond is set horizontally with a mount pave-set with brilliant-cut diamonds and course of baguette-cut diamonds in a Trombino ring made by Bulgari, circa 1965. The ring went to bid with a high presale estimate of $2.3 million.
Jean Ghika, the director of Bonhams jewelry department for Europe, said, “We are delighted with the price it has made. It was a sensational stone which charmed everyone who viewed it prior to the sale. Blue diamonds, especially those over 5.00 carats, are extremely rare to see on the market and continue to be highly sought-after. We are honored to have handled the sale of such a unique gem.”
|