Rare 15.38-carat pink diamond fetches $31.6 million

The spectacular "Unique Pink", a supremely rare Fancy Vivid Pink diamond weighing 15.38 carats sold for an exceptional $31,561,200 / CHF 30,826,000 (price per carat: $2,052,094) at Sotheby's Geneva sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels

Curated By: Forbes India

Published: May 19, 2016

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In addition to receiving the highest possible colour grading for a pink diamond from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the “Unique Pink” has been found to be Type IIa, displaying “exceedingly pure structure”.

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The stone’s exquisite pear shape and brilliant cut accentuate its exceptional saturation, placing it in a rarefied category even among the world’s most beautiful diamonds.

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Upon inspection by the institute, the hue, tone and saturation of the “Unique Pink” was determined to be Fancy Vivid Pink – the strongest saturation possible and described as “absolutely mesmerizing”.

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Very fine diamond brooch, Cartier, 1911: Designed as a bow composed of open work motifs millegrain-set with circular-, single-cut, marquise-, pear-shaped and rose diamonds, signed Cartier, French assay marks.
Estimate: CHF 100,000 — 150,000
Lot sold: CHF 310,000 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

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Jewels From The Collection Of The Princes Doria Pamphilj: Of floral design, set with a pear-shaped diamond, the petals set with cushion-shaped, circular-, single-cut and rose diamonds.
Important diamond pendant, circa 1840
Estimate: CHF 960,000 — 1,920,000
LOT SOLD: CHF 1,690,000 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

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Attractive fancy blue diamond ring: Set with a step-cut fancy blue diamond weighing 14.18 carats, on a mount set with brilliant-cut diamonds
Price: CHF 3,610,000 (US$3,696,098 / HK$ 28,689,735 )

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Superb fancy vivid blue diamond ring: Set with a pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond of exceptional colour weighing 7.32 carats, size 51
Sale price: $17.1m / CHF 16.7m for an Internally Flawless 7.32-carat Fancy Vivid Blue ($2,337,791 per carat)

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Set with a marquise-shaped fancy intense blue diamond weighing 6.64 carats, highlighted with two pear-shaped fancy intense blue diamonds weighing 2.01 and 1.01 carats, further accented with similarly shaped colourless diamonds, may be worn as a pendant, signed A. Reza, French assay and maker's marks.Coming to auction from a noble collection, a brooch featuring a 6.64-carat Fancy Intense Blue diamond achieves $13,672,493 / CHF 13,354,000 - surpassing the previous auction record set by Sotheby’s Geneva in May 2010.

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Very fine sapphire and diamond ring, Van Cleef & Arpels
Estimate: CHF 720,000 — 1,200,000
Lot sold: CHF 2,050,000 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

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Very important and unique gem set and diamond demi-parure, Van Cleef & Arpels, 1960s
Estimate: CHF 1,440,000 — 2,400,000
Lot sold: CHF 1,570,000 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

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An important Fancy Purplish Pink diamond ring weighing 8.20 carats sold for $3,696,098 / CHF 3,610,000 ($450,744 per carat)
(LOT 420, estimate $2-4m / CHF 1.9-3.8m)

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Fine sapphire and diamond ring: Set with a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 8.27 carats, between marquise-shaped diamonds, size 51.
Estimate: CHF 960,000 — 1,150,000
LOT SOLD. 1,450,000 CHF (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

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An Important Fancy Pink diamond pendant weighing 18.51 carats totals $9,773,672 / CHF 9,546,000 ($528,021 per carat)
(LOT 411A, estimate $5-8m / CHF 4.8-7.7m)

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A Pair of Important Pear-Shaped Fancy Blue and Fancy Orangy Pink Diamond Earrings, 8.85 and 8.79 carats respectively, VS2 and VVS2 clarity respectively
Lot: 462
Price: CHF 5,850,000 (US$ 5,989,522 / HK$ 46,491,675)
Estimate: CHF 1,920,000 - 2,880,000

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Pair of gem set and diamond ear clips, 'Tutti Frutti', Cartier, circa 1925
Estimate: CHF 75,000 — 115,000
Lot sold: CHF 225,000 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

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Set of four diamond plaques de cou, Cartier, 1907
The central plaque decorated with a pierced and millegrain-set articulated plaque of foliate design set with circular-cut and rose diamonds, supporting three slightly baroque button shaped natural pearls measuring approximately 9.05 x 9.15 x 7.45mm, 9.70 x 10.60 x 8.70mm and 9.10 x 9.50 x 7.65mm, to a later collar composed of ten rows of natural and cultured pearls, length approximately 350mm, signed Cartier.
Estimate: CHF 220,000 — 380,000
Lot sold: CHF 250,000 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)