Aided by The Sunrise Ruby and an Historic Pink Diamond Sotheby’s achieved the high total record of $160.9 million for a jewellery auction in Geneva last night. This is the highest ever total for a jewellery auction in the world. The Sunrise Ruby made $30.3 million, a new world record for a ruby, for a ruby by carat and for a jewel by Cartier. The Historic Pink Diamond – 8.72 carats Fancy Vivid Pink – linked to Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon I achieved $15.9 million. The sale also witnessed records for a pair of Burmese sapphire earrings ($3,425,518), a Kashmire sapphire jewel ($6,161,637 for a sapphire and diamond brooch) and for a two row natural pearl necklace ($7,003,519).
David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division said: “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.”
(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for April 12, 2015)
The Sunrise Ruby sold for a record $30.3 million.
The historic Pink Diamond sold for $15.9 million US.