Auctions
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May- 2016 -5 May
Largest rough diamond discovered in 100 years could fetch £48m at auction
The largest rough diamond to be discovered in over a century could sell for more than $70m (£48m) at a Sotheby’s auction. The 1109-carat ‘Lesedi la Rona’ – the largest gem-quality rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence today – will…
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Apr- 2016 -26 April
Phillips to expand international watches team
Auction house Phillips has announced a “significant” expansion to its team of international watch specialists, with new roles in New York, Geneva and Hong Kong. The new appointments include Douglas Escribano as senior international specialist in New York; Amy Chow as senior specialist in Hong Kong; and Alex Ghotbi as…
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21 April
Diamond and sapphire prices soar for Bonhams
Sapphire and diamond jewellery designs achieved top prices when they went under the the hammer at Bonhams Fine Jewellery sale in London yesterday. Bidders in the New Bond Street saleroom, online and on the telephones, competed for 129 lots at the auction on Wednesday, 20 April, which achieved £4.98m with…
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20 April
Shirley Temple’s blue diamond ring fails to sell
The blue diamond ring previously owned by former child-star Shirley Temple has failed to sell at an auction in New York. The Sotheby’s auction opened bidding for the ring at $19m (£13m) and closed it at $22m (£15m), which was below the ring’s reserve price. The 9.54-carat ‘fancy deep blue…
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7 April
Record-breaking pink diamond could fetch £27m at auction
The largest fancy vivid pink pear-shaped diamond to ever be offered at auction is expected to go under the hammer for $28m to $38m (£19.9m to £27m). The 15.38-carat ‘Unique Pink’ diamond – unveiled in London today – received the highest possible colour grading for a pink diamond from the…
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6 April
Rare blue diamond sells for £22.5m
The world’s largest oval fancy vivid blue diamond to ever go under the hammer has been sold for $31.8m (£22.5m). The De Beers ‘Millennium Jewel 4’ was auctioned at the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale on 5 April, selling for the highest price ever paid for a jewel…
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4 April
Bonhams to auction jewels owned by an Indian royal family
A collection of jewels owned by an Indian royal family is set to go under the hammer, with the top piece set to sell for up to £70,000. The collection, which will be auctioned by Bonhams at its Indian and Islamic sale in Bond Street on 19 April, is owned…
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Mar- 2016 -31 March
Largest ever fancy vivid blue diamond could fetch £31.4m
Christie’s has announced the ‘Oppenheimer Blue’ is to go under the hammer, the largest fancy vivid blue diamond ever offered at auction. Weighing 14.62 carats, the stone will lead Christie’s auction of ‘Magnificent Jewels’ held at held at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, on 18 May. The…
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18 March
Shirley Temple’s rare blue diamond ‘could fetch £24.2m’ at auction
A rare blue diamond that belonged to former child star Shirley Temple is set to be auctioned next month for an estimated price of $25m (£17.3m) to $35m (£24.2m), says Sotheby’s. The 9.54-carat ‘Fancy Deep Blue potentially internally Flawless’, VVS2 clarity diamond ring was purchased by Temple’s father for $7,210…
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17 March
Rising demand for coloured gemstones sees auction prices soar
There has been a surge in demand for coloured gemstones prompting rapidly rising prices, according to Bonhams. The auction house said sapphires have seen a particular rise in popularity, with consumers purchasing sapphire engagement and wedding rings. Bonhams said its clients are looking for something “a little bit different” from…
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