Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva achieved a total of $66.5 million, with the headline-making Ocean Dream diamond emerging as the top lot of the week. The sale recorded a 99% sell-through rate by lot and realised 186% above its low estimate, reflecting a strong global appetite for rare gemstones and historically significant jewels.
Leading the sale was The Ocean Dream, a rare 5.50-carat Fancy Vivid Blue-Green diamond, which sold for $17.36 million after a 20-minute bidding battle between international collectors. The exceptional diamond, fashioned in a striking triangular shape, was extracted from a rough found in Central Africa in the 1990s that weighed 11.70 carats.
The auction attracted participation from collectors across 40 countries, with bidders from Europe accounting for 41%, followed by the Americas at 27% and Asia Pacific at 28%. Christie’s also noted registrations from eight new countries. In total, 13 lots sold for over $1 million, two exceeded $5 million, and one crossed the $10 million mark.
Among the standout necklace lots was an exceptional two-row natural pearl and diamond necklace, which realised $5.3 million — more than four times its low estimate (pictured above).
A historic Boucheron ruby and diamond necklace created for the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris fetched $1.54 million, while the Cartier sautoir famously worn in the 1974 film The Great Gatsby sold for $568,960.
Cartier creations continued to attract strong bidding. A Cartier Flamingo Brooch sold for $406,400, while an Art Deco diamond tiara achieved $894,080 — nearly three times its low estimate. Another highlight, the Cartier Art Deco multi-gem Tutti Frutti clip-brooch, realised $1.34 million.
Coloured gemstones also delivered impressive results. A 22.28-carat Kashmir sapphire ring by Chaumet sold for $3.51 million, underscoring sustained demand for untreated Kashmir sapphires with strong provenance.
Meanwhile, a Harry Winston ring set with a 76.39-carat oval cabochon sapphire achieved $2.26 million.
Commenting on the sale, Max Fawcett, Christie’s Global Head of Jewellery, said the strong results reflected the market’s continued appetite for top-quality jewels and gemstones, particularly rare coloured diamonds and exceptional provenance pieces.
Christie’s Luxury Week in Geneva has so far generated a running total of approximately $108 million across jewellery and watch sales.