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MOLINA’S DIAMOND ROCKS CHRISTIE’S GENEVA AUCTION November 14, 2012 (0 comments)
Geneva, Switzerland--Christie's Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction concluded November 13 at a total of U.S. $85,049,806. The auction sold out 84% by lot, and 86% by value. The top lot of the sale was the historical 76.02-ct. cushion-shaped ‘Archduke Joseph Diamond,’ owned by Alfredo J. Molina, CEO of Molina Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, AZ, and Black, Starr & Frost jewelers in New York, NY and Newport Beach, CA. The diamond sold for U.S. $21,474,525, or $282,545 per carat, setting a new world record at auction for a colorless diamond.
Said Molina, “I am thrilled but not surprised that the Archduke Joseph Diamond should have fetched such a high price. It is considered the finest and largest perfect Golconda diamond ever to appear at auction, with a noble lineage and royal provenance, literally ‘Fit for a Queen.’ I was blessed to be the Archduke’s guardian and champion for the past 13 years, and indeed it has become part of my very identity. I am honored to have worked with Rahul Kadakia and Christie’s on this historic sale. I wish the Archduke Joseph Diamond 'Godspeed,'' and I know its new owners will delight in its beauty, charisma, and mystery as I have for so many happy years.”
Over the seven-hour long sale, a total of 19 lots sold above $1 million, with 147 buyers from 28 countries competing in person, by phone, and online. Combined with the total achieved for the category in May, this marks the most successful year for Christie’s Swiss jewelry department.
Top image: Christies.com