The largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond ever sold at auction could fetch up to $50 million at a Christie’s sale of rare jewels in Geneva on 7 November, the auction house has announced.
Known as ‘Bleu Royal’, the vivid blue diamond – set in a ring – is one of the rarest ever discovered.
“What makes Bleu Royal so rare and special is its size. At 17.6 carats, it’s the largest of its kind,” said Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewellery.
Kadakia said he hoped it would surpass the 14.6-carat blue diamond known as the ‘Oppenheimer Blue’, which Christie’s sold for $57 million in 2016.
The auctioneer will also present a Rolex wristwatch worn by Marlon Brando in the 1979 film Apocalypse Now, with the actor’s signature engraved on the back to prevent it being accidentally switched during filming.
“What makes it truly unique is that it is one of the most recognisable pieces of Rolex memorabilia ever to come to auction,” said Remi Guillemin, Christie’s Head of European Watches.
Two years ago, the watch, now valued at between 1 and 2 million Swiss francs, sold at auction for 2 million Swiss francs.
In a separate online auction between 3 and 16 November, Christie’s is offering a pearl necklace worn by film and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn in the final scene of the 1953 film Roman Holiday. The necklace was created by renowned Italian jeweller Furst, who catered to well-heeled clients including Hollywood stars.
“The special thing about the necklace is that she wore it in the last scene of Roman Holiday, which was such a great film that audiences loved and where she played a young royal enjoying herself in Rome,” says Kadakia.
