The Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva totaled CHF49,242,200 / US$54,215,662, with deep bidding from a full saleroom, on the phones and online, and was 97% sold by lot and 98% sold by value. The sale was led by the 202cts Yellow Rose diamond which sold for CHF6,095,000 /US$6,710,595, the second highest price ever paid for a yellow stone above 200cts at Christie’s.
Max Fawcett, Head of Jewels Europe commented: “There is nothing better as an auctioneer than a full and engaged sale room, and to achieve such strong results – 97% by lot and 140% of the low estimate – is remarkable. The market for coloured gemstones and signed jewellery is on fire and I could not think of a better way to start the 2024 season. We now look forward to Hong Kong, New York, Paris and London.”
In addition, the auction included an important selection of coloured gemstones, including an important pink sapphire of 25.20cts which sold for CHF1,376,000 /US$1,514,976, tripling its pre-sale estimate and an exceptional 11.03cts Kashmir blue sapphire and a cushion-shaped 5.03cts Burmese ruby each of which sold for CHF1,255,000 / US$1,381,755.
Amongst the selection of emeralds was Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain’s early 20th century sugarloaf and oval-shaped cabochon emerald and diamond brooch, which sold for CHF 189,000 / US208,089.
