The Astonishing Rarity of Blue Diamonds

Highlights of Sotheby's upcoming Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale in Geneva, 15 November, include several rare and exquisite blue diamonds.

J ean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French merchant and adventurer, was one of the first whose interest was piqued by fancy coloured diamonds. He sold the ‘Tavernier Blue Diamond’, also called the ‘French Blue’ to Louis XIV in 1669.

Rare Fancy Intense Blue Diamond Ring. Estimate CHF 1,990,000-2,980,000 / $2,000,000-3,000,000.

Since the 17th century, the value of coloured diamonds has increased considerably. Fancy coloured diamonds are rarer than their near colourless counterparts and there are many different hues and intensities which have been discovered. For many coloured diamonds, the colour comes from elements present within the crystal lattice and depends on the element present, such as nitrogen which causes yellow and boron which causes blue.

Fancy coloured diamonds are exceedingly rare in nature, and the intensity of colour can vary between diamonds. Diamonds are graded according to their colour intensity, and can range from Faint to Fancy Vivid.

Captivating and enigmatic, blue diamonds are considered the rarest of them all. Greatly admired and eagerly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike, blue diamond discoveries are sporadic and astonishing occurrences, making them one of the nature’s rarest endowments.

RARE PAIR OF FANCY VIVID BLUE DIAMOND PENDENT EARRINGS, ESTIMATE CHF 7,940,000-9,920,000 / $8,000,000-10,000,000 and RARE FANCY VIVID BLUE DIAMOND RING , ESTIMATE CHF 8,930,000-11,920,000 / $ 9,000,000-12,000,000. Photo: Ambra Vernuccio

Following the success of last season’s legendary Farnese Blue diamond, Geneva leads its upcoming Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale with four extraordinary blue diamonds.

An extremely rare Internally Flawless round brilliant-cut Fancy Intense Blue diamond weighing 2.02 carats showcases rarity with its cut – to retain such a saturation of colour within a brilliant-cut is a feat of a skilled craftsman. Not only exceptional but stylish, a pair of earrings boast two spectacular blue diamonds set within a single jewel. Both have received the coveted grade of Fancy Vivid and proclaim a colour which is sure to stand out whilst wearing them. An attractive 5.04 carat diamond graded as Fancy Vivid Blue showcases a strong colour whilst also having an impressive size.

Discover these remarkable blue diamonds and more at the Mandarin Oriental Geneva from 10-15 November.

Past Auction

Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels

15 November 2018 | 10:30 AM CET | Geneva

The Astonishing Rarity of Blue Diamonds

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