New World Record Prices Set at Christie’s Geneva Auction

Published on: May 19th, 2011

Highlights from Christie’s May 18 Sale

Three new world record prices were achieved at Christies Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva. The top lot sold was a D IF Type IIa heart-shaped diamond weighing 56.15 carats. The massive heart was sold to Graff for $10,946,422 setting a new record as the most expensive heart-shaped diamond in the world. A cushion cut Burmese sapphire of 130.50 carats sold for $7,122,742 setting a new world record price for any sapphire sold at auction. An impressive Imperial Mughal spinel necklace sold for $5,210,902 achieving the highest price for any Indian jewel at auction. The Geneva sale garnered $79 million total in jewelry sales.

Photo: AP Photo/Keystone, Christian Brun

In the photo above, a Christie’s employee holds the 56.15 carat D IF Type IIa heart-shaped diamond. The heart sold for $10,946,422 making it the most expensive heart-shaped diamond every sold at auction. The last heart-shaped diamond to set a world record weighed 64.42 carats selling for $5,248,846 at Sotheby’s Geneva.

Photo: Denis Hayoun – Diode SA

The cushion cut Burmese sapphire weighing 130.50 carats achieved a new world record price of $7,122,742 at the May 18 sale. The rare sapphire is surrounded by old cut diamonds in a brooch.

Photo: Denis Hayoun – Diode SA

An Imperial Mughal Spinel Necklace set the third new world record at Christie’s selling for $5,210,902. The necklace is now the most expensive Indian jewel ever sold at auction. The spinels weigh a total of 1,131.59 carats and were most likely mounted in the 19th century.

Photo: Denis Hayoun – Diode SA