Nov 13th, 2012

Archie for $22M

Christie’s Geneva concluded its fall sale of Magnificent Jewels today, which achieved a total of $80,885,395 (CHF 76,630,850). While full details from the auction were still being calculated this evening, the top lot sold was the Archduke Joseph Diamond (pictured) and it realized $21,506,914. The unmounted cushion-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 76.02 carats, came with purple leather fitted box.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graded the Archduke Joseph Diamond with D colour, internally flawless clarity and determined it to be type IIa. GIA also called the stone the largest D, internally flawless the lab has graded from the historic Golconda region.

The Gübelin GemLab also graded the diamond D, internally flawless, type IIa; and stated that the diamond was ”blessed with a purity of color and high degree of transparency, which are particular to the world’s finest natural type IIa diamond, the purest type in terms of chemistry. Diamonds of this type and size, displaying such a superior quality as well as an antique cutting style, are extremely rare and will unequivocally evoke references to the historic term of Golconda.”

Source:

Diamonds.net