The Bulgari Laguna Blue, a pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond, has been sold for $US25.5 million ($AU37.9 million) at Sotheby’s Geneva.
The diamond comfortably exceeded its pre-sale estimate after four minutes of frenzied bidding. It was the headline act of the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale which garnered $US85.4 ($AU128.7 million) in sales.
Olivier Wagner, head of jewelery at Sotheby’s Geneva, told Rapaport News: “The sale of the Laguna Blu tops the remarkable performance of our Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale that saw exceptional colored gemstones, in particular emeralds and yellow diamonds, punch through their high estimates.”
The Bulgari Laguna Blue is the largest diamond ever set in a Bulgari piece and is considered the most valuable gemstone ever sold by the iconic jewelry house.
Light of Peace Diamond
All eyes will soon turn to Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York, where a 126-carat diamond will go under the hammer with a presale estimate of $US15 million ($AU22.6 million).
Known as the Light of Peace Diamond, the pear brilliant-cut D-colour internally flawless beauty will appear on 7 June without a reserve price.
The source of the diamond is unconfirmed and was simply listed as ‘West Africa’ when it was purchased by the Zale Corporation in 1969. It’s believed the diamond was discovered in Sierra Leone.
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