Sotheby’s, the renowned auction house, has made history with its recent Magnificent Jewels sale in New York, where two exceptional gemstones shattered previous records by fetching prices exceeding $30 million each.
This extraordinary achievement marks a significant milestone for both Sotheby’s and the global auction industry.
World Auction Record for a Ruby and Coloured Gemstone
The first record-breaking gemstone to captivate buyers was the remarkable ‘Estrela de Fura 55.22.’ Weighing an impressive 55.22 carats, this Mozambique ruby secured a staggering $34.8 million, setting a new world auction record for any coloured gemstone ever sold. The winning bid equates to a remarkable $630,288 per carat, further highlighting the exceptional nature of this precious stone.
The Eternal Pink: World Auction Record for a Fancy Purplish-Pink Diamond
Following closely on the heels of the ‘Estrela de Fura 55.22,’ ‘The Eternal Pink‘ made its entrance and mesmerized bidders. This vivid pink diamond, hailed as the most vibrant of its kind to ever grace the market, fetched an impressive $34.8 million. Not only did this sale establish a new world auction record for a Fancy Purplish-Pink Diamond, but it also set a new price per carat record for diamonds of this coveted colour grade, amounting to an astounding $3,292,763 per carat.
Magnificent Jewels Auction Continues to Amaze
While the Magnificent Jewels auction is still ongoing, it has already left an indelible mark on the jewellery market. With both the ‘Estrela de Fura 55.22‘ and ‘The Eternal Pink‘ surpassing the $30 million milestone, this auction has achieved an unprecedented feat in the history of auctions. Such momentous sales underline the allure and demand for these extraordinary gemstones.
Record-Breaking Ruby: A Red Hot Gem
The sale of ‘Estrela de Fura 55.22‘ for an astounding $34.8 million establishes it as the most valuable coloured gemstone ever sold at auction. Prior to this record-breaking sale, the title belonged to the ‘Sunrise Ruby,’ a 25.59-carat Burmese gem that fetched $30.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva back in May 2015.
The ‘Estrela de Fura 55.22‘ is a true marvel of nature, meticulously cut from a remarkable 101-carat rough discovered at the FURA Gem’s ruby mine in Mozambique, which is one of the world’s largest ruby deposits. With its flawless beauty and exceptional size, this gem takes its place as the largest gem-quality ruby ever to grace an auction. Such flawless and sizeable rubies are exceedingly rare, with only two examples in history surpassing the $15 million mark at auction. Therefore, the appearance of this extraordinary gemstone marks a momentous event in the world of auctions.
Perfect Price for a Perfect Pink Diamond
‘The Eternal Pink‘ continues to mesmerize with its vivid and unrivaled pink hue. Selling for an impressive $34.8 million, with a remarkable price per carat of $3,292,763, this diamond achieves a new world auction record for a Fancy Purplish-Pink Diamond.
The previous record of $19.9 million was set in 2019 when a 10.64-carat Fancy Vivid Purplish-Pink diamond sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, achieving $1,865,703 per carat. The 10.57-carat Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink Diamond, discovered through the partnership between De Beers and Botswana at the Damtshaa mine, underwent six months of meticulous craftsmanship by Diacore’s team of artisans to create an exquisite cushion-cut masterpiece. This transformative process maximized the diamond’s electric “bubblegum” colour, showcasing its vibrant beauty to its fullest potential.
Commenting on the result of the two stones, Quig Bruning, Head of Sotheby’s Jewelry, Americas, said: “Today, we witnessed the historic sale of not one, but two of the most exquisite and important diamonds and gemstones to ever hit the auction block. It’s difficult to express the range of emotions I felt when I first laid eyes on the ‘Estrela de Fura 55.22’, but to put it simply, I was entranced. With its unprecedented size, piercing color and rare degree of optical transparency and clarity, it truly deserved the record-breaking price today, as it now joins the ranks of the world’s most legendary gemstones.
It was equally an honour to have handled a diamond as breathtaking and extraordinary in nature as ‘The Eternal Pink,’ and its price today reaffirms that Sotheby’s is the premier destination for the world’s rarest diamond creations. I proudly speak on behalf of the global Jewelry Department at Sotheby’s when I say how truly privileged we are to have been a steward of these ultra-rare gems and today’s results are further proof that there is continued demand for the finest diamonds and gemstones of the very highest order.”
In conclusion, Sotheby’s continues to make headlines with its Magnificent Jewels auction, breaking records and captivating collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. The ‘Estrela de Fura 55.22‘ and ‘The Eternal Pink‘ have firmly secured their place in history, demonstrating the enduring allure and value of extraordinary gemstones. With these remarkable sales, Sotheby’s reaffirms its position as a leader in the global auction market and showcases its unrivalled ability to bring the most exceptional treasures to discerning buyers around the world.
Images: Sotheby’s