15-carat pink diamond sells for $35M

by Samantha Ashenhurst | May 25, 2021 5:32 pm

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An exceptionally rare diamond set an auction record at Christie’s this week, becoming the largest of its kind to ever go under the hammer.

Weighing 15.81 carats, the Type IIa, fancy-vivid-purple-pink, internally flawless ‘Sakura Diamond’ sold for more than C$35.3 million (approximately US$29,285,00) at Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels sale on May 23.

“We are very excited to have marked another important chapter in jewellery auction history, with the Sakura realizing a record-breaking price of US$29.3 million, continuing Christie’s tradition of offering the finest pink diamonds at auction,” said Vickie Sek, chair of the department of jewellery for Christie’s Asia Pacific. “The strong sell-through rates and exceptional prices achieved for top-quality coloured diamonds and gemstones reflect a robust market demand.”

According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), only four per cent of pink diamonds possess a colour deep enough to qualify as ‘fancy vivid,’ Christie’s reports. Additionally, fewer than 10 per cent of diamonds of this colour weigh more than 0.2 carats.

In total, the auction achieved more than C$92.6 million (US$76,804,799), Christie’s reports. Other top lots included the ‘Sweet Heart’—a 4.19-carat fancy vivid pink diamond ring, which sold for C$7.9 million (US$6.55 million)—and a 31.17-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond ring, which realized C$2.6 million (US$2.1 million).

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/15-carat-pink-diamond-sells-for-35m/

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