17 May 2017: Sotheby’s sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva on Tuesday night saw ‘The Apollo and Artemis Diamonds’ become the most valuable earrings ever sold at auction. Selling to the same anonymous buyer the diamonds realised a combined total of US$57,425,478 / CHF 57,118,750 / HK$447,169,270.

Sold separately as individual lots:
‘The Apollo Blue’ Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Blue diamond weighing 14.54-carats US$42,087,302 / CHF41,862,500 / HK$327,731,674

‘The Artemis Diamonds’ Fancy Intense Pink diamond, weighing 16-carats US$15,338,176 / CHF 15,256,250 / HK$119,437,596

Speaking after the sale, David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division and Chairman of Switzerland commented: "It has been a privilege for Sotheby's to be entrusted with the superb ‘Apollo Blue’ and ‘Artemis Pink’. The results from today’s sale – which saw more than 90 per cent of lots sold and three new world auction records – yet again underline the strong demand for top quality diamonds, gemstones and jewels. I am delighted that the stones will remain together as earrings. This has been a wonderful inaugural jewellery sale at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva which far exceeded expectations, with a total of over $150 million. We are greatly looking forward to the upcoming auction of Fine Jewels at Sotheby’s rue Diday in Geneva on the 1st of June.”

OTHER NOTABLE RESULTS
AUCTION RECORD FOR A FANCY INTENSE PURPLISH PINK DIAMOND AUCTION RECORD PRICE PER-CARAT FOR A FANCY INTENSE PURPLISH PINK DIAMOND LOT 371 - A rich and impressive diamond by Piaget weighing 7.04 carats. Sold for: US$13,245,750 / CHF13,175,000 / HK$103,143,979 (Previous record set in November 1995 -US$6,038,496) Price per carat: $1,881,499 (Previous record set in April 2015 - US$1,089,792) (Estimate: US$8million – 12million / CHF 8,030,000 – 12,040,000)

GEMS AND JEWELS FROM A SUPERB PRIVATE COLLECTION (LOT 272 – 326) A collection of the finest diamonds and gemstones, as well as signed jewels from the most desirable and sought-after Jewellery houses, doubled pre-sale estimates to realise a combined total of US$15,899,550 / CHF 15,814,625 / HK$123,808,982 and achieved an outstanding sell-through rate of 96%.
o LOT 326: Pear-shaped diamond ring, weighing 32.42 carats by Harry Winston which doubled its low estimate to realise US$3,330,288 /CHF3,312,500 / HK$ 25,932,784
o LOT 315: Emerald and diamond ring by Harry Winston achieved five times its estimate selling for US$929,465 /CHF924,500 / HK$ 7,237,693
o LOT 318 and 319: Ruby and diamond brooch and ear clips by Van Cleef & Arpels which sold for a combined total of US$477,551 /CHF475,000/ HK$ 3,718,663

RUBY, DIAMOND AND ONYX BRACELET, LACLOCHE (LOT 374) Rare ruby, onyx and diamond bracelet, circa 1925, soared above estimate to realise US$748,498 / CHF 744,500 / HK$5,828,516.

JADEITE, ONYX, RUBY AND DIAMOND PENDANT/BROOCH, CARTIER, CIRCA 1925 (LOT 362) Sold for US$ 374,500 / CHF 372,500 / HK$2,916,215 more than double the high estimate. From the ‘golden era’ of Cartier’s production, this pendant/brooch was formerly in the collection of Mona, Countess von Bismarck (1897 – 1983).

SALE OVERVIEW
· Sell-through rate of 90%
· 3 lots sell for over US$10 million. 5 lots sell for over US$5 million.
· Two thirds of lots sold above high estimate
· Pre-sale estimate in the region of: US$100million / CHF 100million