Christie’s totals up its top jewellery sales for the year

by carly_midgley | December 21, 2017 10:05 am

With 2018 fast approaching, Christie’s[1] is looking back at the achievements of the past year. The company recently released a list of its top 10 jewellery sales of 2017, recalling the pieces that met with the greatest success as its 24^th year comes to a close.

“2017 has been a stellar year for jewellery at Christie’s,” said Rahul Kadakia, the company’s international head of jewellery. “Nine new world record prices were achieved at our sales worldwide, driven by intense competition from collectors who bid at the highest levels for important diamonds, rare gems and jewels, and superb objects. We also saw immense growth in our online sales, which encouraged clients to enjoy the auction experience at all price points.”

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Among the world records Kadakia mentions are those set by The Art of de Grisogono, Creation 1 (world auction record for any D-colour flawless diamond) and the Pink Promise diamond (world auction record price per carat for a pink diamond). These two pieces also lead the top 10 sales for the year.

The full list runs as follows.

1. The Art of de Grisogono, Creation 1, an emerald and diamond necklace set with a 163.41-carat rectangular-cut diamond, which sold for US$33.7 million at Geneva in November.
2. The Pink Promise, a 14.93-carat, oval-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond, which sold for US$32.1 million at Hong Kong in November.
3. La Légende, a 92.15-carat, heart-shaped, D-colour flawless diamond by Boehmer et Bassenge, which sold for US$14.9 million at Geneva in May.
4. Le Grand Mazarin, a 19.07-carat, light pink diamond, which sold for US$14.4 million at Geneva in November.
5. An 8.67-carat, rectangular-cut, fancy intense blue diamond, which sold for US$13.2 million at Geneva in November.
6. A 15.03-carat, oval-shaped Burmese ruby, which sold for US$12.9 million at Geneva in May.
7. A 7.97-carat, cushion-shaped, fancy intense blue diamond, which sold for US$12.7 million at Geneva in May.
8. A twin-stone fancy vivid blue diamond ring with stones of 3.36 and 2.71 carats, respectively, which sold for US$12.5 million at New York in December.
9. A jadeite bead, ruby, and diamond necklace, which sold for US$12.3 million at Hong Kong in November.
10. An 8.80-carat, rectangular-cut, fancy intense pink diamond, which sold for US$9.7 million at Hong Kong in November.

Total global auction sales for the year stand at US$556.7 million, a total mostly comprised of live auction sales (US$547.8 million), with a small amount attributed to online (US$8.9 million).

“As we move into 2018, our global team of jewellery specialists looks forward to bringing to market the very best jewels for our clients,” said Kadakia.

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/christies-totals-top-jewellery-sales-year/

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