50 carats the Farnese blue at hammer!
Sotheby’s Jewellery sale in Geneva in May offers
The Farnese Blue, for the first time after three centuries
World class diamonds, cut 300 years apart, will lead Sotheby’s spring sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva. All three diamonds are extremely rare and extraordinarily beautiful. The first is The Farnese Blue, a highly important 6.16-carat historic blue diamond given to Elisabeth Farnese, Queen of Spain in 1715, before being passed down through four of Europe’s most important royal families (Estimate CHF 3.5 – 5 million / $3.6 – 5.2 million).
Alongside it will be two highly impressive white diamonds, each one weighing over 50 carats, with a combined estimate of over $15 million. The white diamonds are both perfect according to all the critical criteria by which diamonds are measured, and each of them is also the second largest of its shape ever to have come to auction. Alongside these highlights, our flagship sale on 15 May at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva will also include exceptional coloured diamonds, coloured gemstones of the finest quality and geographical origin, and emblematic signed pieces by the world’s most renowned Jewellery houses.
Speaking ahead of the sale, David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery division, commented, “After 10 very successful years of Noble Jewels sales in Geneva, we are delighted to offer such an important historical diamond, The Farnese Blue, this spring. In the Magnificent Jewels section of the sale, two exceptional perfect white diamonds, each weighing over 50 carats, take their places alongside an impressive selection of coloured diamonds. With superb Kashmir sapphires leading the way for coloured gemstones, and a wonderful array of signed pieces led by Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, this will be a fitting celebration of the season!”
