Magnificent Jewels

On 12 November 2013, THE ORANGE, the largest fancy vivid orange diamond ever offered at auction (14.82 carats), achieved $35,540,612 / SFr.32,645,000 ($2.4m per carat) at Christie’s Geneva, setting a world record price per carat for any diamond sold at auction, as well as a world record price for an orange diamond.

Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction fetched a record total result of $125,360,131 / SFr.115,146,625 / €93,591,177, selling 89% by lot and 96% by value.

The exceptional jewels formerly part of the collection of Simón Itturi Patiño, known as ‘The Andean Rockefeller’, sold well above their pre-sale estimates totalling $14.7 million / SFr.13.5 million.

The sophisticated jewellery collection of Parisian style icon Hélène Rochas attracted the interest of numerous international collectors and sold 100%, realising a total of $2.3 million / SFr.2.1 million.

François Curiel, International Head of Christie's Jewellery Department, declared: “Time and again, a stone will appear on the market that is truly a miracle of nature. The 14.82ct orange diamond is one such a stone, a rare gem, which will perhaps only be seen once in a lifetime. In the sale on Tuesday, it soared far above all previous records for any orange diamond ever sold at auction, placing The Orange amongst the greatest pinks and blues, which are traditionally the most appreciated coloured diamonds.”

“In a $125 million auction, the Orange, the Patiño collection, natural pearls, Royal jewels and stylish creations from the collection of Hélène Rochas were competed for with a passion rarely seen before. The energy in the auction room was constant throughout the sale with collectors and members of the trade bidding without abandon”, said Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewellery, Christie's Switzerland and Americas.