Lilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
Raj Pink, Donnersmarck Diamonds Fail to Sell at Auction
They were two of the top lots at Sotheby’s jewelry sale held Wednesday in Geneva.
Geneva--A pink diamond said to be the largest fancy intense pink diamond in the world was one of a few lots that failed to sell at Sotheby’s Wednesday.
At the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale in Geneva, neither the “Raj Pink” nor the historic “Donnersmarck Diamonds” sold.
The 37.30-carat Raj Pink was the highlight of the sale, estimated to garner between $20 million and $30 million.
According to Reuters, bidding opened at $10.02 million and rose to about $14.1 million before the auction stalled.
The diamond’s current owner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, gave the stone its name, which is based on the Sanksrit word for “king.”
The rough that yielded the Raj Pink was studied for more than a year after its discovery in 2015, the auction house said, before a master cutter turned it into a cushion-modified brilliant cut.
The Gemological Institute of America has examined the diamond, saying it is an “astonishing stone” with a hue that is a “very bright and ravishing fancy intense pink color.”
Meanwhile, the Donnersmarck Diamonds (pictured below), a 102.54-carat cushion-shaped stone and an 82.47-carat pear, were offered as a single lot. The pair was expected to sell for between $9 million and $14 million, but only reached a bid high of $7.9 million, Reuters said.
The diamonds’ interesting provenance was one of their main selling points.
Countess Henckel von Donnersmarck, or “La Païva” as she eventually became known, was, arguably, the most famous and successful of the 19th century French courtesans, rising to become European aristocracy.
Running away to Paris at the age of 18, she fell in with the right cultural and artistic circles, marrying Marquis Albino Francisco de Araújo de Païva, an heir to two important Macao wholesale fortunes, in 1851.
The two were married for only a day but it gave her the nickname she’d have the rest of her life.
She then met her next husband, Count Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, one of Europe’s richest men. The two married in 1871, and it is believed that it was during this time that she acquired what came to be known as the Donnersmarck Diamonds.
After she died in 1884, the stones stayed in the count’s family for more than a century until they appeared at auction in 2007. At that time, they garnered $8 million between them.
Sotheby’s did not offer a comment about the lots not
The Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale totaled $78.9 million.
Its top lot turned out to be a 33.63-carat step-cut fancy light pink diamond set in a Harry Winston ring, which garnered $12.8 million.
The next highest-selling lot jumped down to $5 million for a 18.86-carat ruby ring; $4.1 million for a necklace set with a cushion-shaped fancy intense yellow diamond weighing 102.50 carats, set in a frame of brilliant-cut diamonds with a “fringe” made of pear-shaped diamonds, brilliant-cut diamonds and diamonds of yellow tint; and a $2.6 million 22.76-carat step-cut diamond ring.
Full results can be found on Sothebys.com.
The Latest
The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
Why do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
The “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
The annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
Owner David Mann is heading into retirement.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
Christie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
The ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
Retailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
The late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
Three fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
Kimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
As a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
The company’s Easton location will remain open.
Brian D. Fleming of Carla Corporation was elected to serve a one-year term in the role.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Tobak, author of “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” shares how the exhibition came to be, and the pieces people may be surprised to see.
Stars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.
M.S. Rau is set to open a seasonal gallery in the high-end resort town early next month.