Bulgari Pink Diamond Fetches $14 Million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction
The rare jewel appeared at auction in Geneva for the first time after more than 70 years in private hands
A diamond with a name demands attention, especially a rare and fancy colored one. The one in question is a 24-carat intense pink emerald-cut, set in a Bulgari ring from a European noble family, which appeared at auction for the first time after more than 70 years in private hands. Now, the iconic jewel by Bulgari has fetched $14 million at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels Auction.
Fresh to the market and unseen for more than seven decades, the diamond attracted international interest thanks to its distinguished European noble family provenance and story. Acquired in India by the consignor’s great-grandparents in the 1950s, the stone travelled from the legendary diamond-producing regions of the subcontinent to the ateliers of Bulgari in Rome.
“What a tremendous year for Christie’s Jewels,” Max Fawcett, Global Head of Jewellery at Christie’s said. “With strong global demand tonight, The Bulgari Pink, the final lot of our Magnificent Jewels sale, ended our run of live auctions in Geneva this week on a high. We look forward to continuing the success in Shanghai, New York and beyond for our upcoming Luxury sales.”
Classified as a Type IIa diamond, a category representing fewer than 2 percent of all gem-quality diamonds, the pink diamond possesses the transparency and purity associated with the world’s most celebrated historic stones, including those linked to the legendary Golconda region.
The full Geneva Luxury Week results will be announced later this week.