Sotheby’s sells record breaking 12 carat, Blue Moon diamond
Sotheby’s has successfully sold the 12.03 carat, Blue Moon diamond for a record breaking $48.5 million. The auctioneer claims that it is a world record for a diamond of any color. The diamond which is internally flawless in clarity, and described as displaying truly outstanding color, sold at Sotheby’s Magnificent and Noble Jewels auction which took place November 11th in Geneva. The diamond was expected to yield between $35 and $55 million dollars. This sale breaks Sotheby’s previous record, when they sold the 24.78 carat, Graff Pink diamond for $46.2 million in 2010. The average price per carat is roughly $4 million, which is also record breaking.
UK newspaper The Guardian reported that both the Blue Moon and a 16.08 carat, pink diamond were purchased by Hong Kong real estate developer Joseph Lau. The pink diamond was purchased for $28.6 million dollars at auction from Christie’s just a short time ago, and was renamed ‘Sweet Josephine’ in honor of Lau’s 17-year-old daughter. Reportedly Lau renamed the ‘Blue Moon’ diamond to the ‘Blue Moon of Josephine’ shortly after purchase.
UK newspaper The Guardian reported that both the Blue Moon and Sweet Josephine were bought by Hong Kong real estate investor Joseph Lau, who then renamed them after his seven-year-old daughter on purchase. He changed the blue diamond's name to 'Blue Moon of Josephine.'
Sotheby's sold a total of $139.1 million at the auction, with 83 percent sold by lot. Other gems sold at the Geneva auction included a fancy vivid purple-pink diamond ring, which sold for $13.9 million, which is supposed to be another auction record for a fancy vivid pink diamond. A sapphire and diamond ring sold for $3.2 million; and a ruby, sapphire and diamond bar brooch designed by Van Cleef & Arpels, sold for $2.5 million, exceeding Sotheby’s anticipated amount five times over.
We do Big Rocks at Brian Gavin Diamonds, and we’ve got plenty of fancy color diamonds, but admittedly we have nothing that large and record breaking in our inventory, but there are some pretty amazing diamonds to be found in the inventory of Brian Gavin Diamonds. But you should know that it’s quite rare for diamonds of this magnitude to be found in the public arena, except at auctions such as Christies or Sotheby’s. However if you’re even in the market for a diamond of this magnitude, it’s a good idea to ask Brian what he might be able to find, because he’s got some pretty amazing resources for diamonds of this caliber.
