Christie’s Sells 39 Carat D/IF Diamond for $6.9 Million

Christie’s “Jewels: The New York Sale” jewelry auction, held Wednesday, realized a total of $49.88 million the highest total for any jewelry auction in the U.S. The sale was 95 percent sold by value and 88 percent sold by lot.

The item that earned the highest price was a 39.34 carat cushion cut D / Internally Flawless Type IIa loose diamond, which sold for $6.873 million, $175,000 per carat, to a private Middle Eastern buyer.

Also sold was a 27.91 carat rectangular cut D / potentially flawless Harry Winston diamond for $4.073 million, or $146,000 per carat; a 21.90 carat pear shaped D / potentially flawless Harry Winston diamond ring, for $3.065 million, or $140,000 per carat, and a 18.44 carat rectangular cut D / potentially flawless loose diamond, for $2.561 million, or $139,000 per carat.

Rahul Kadakia, head of jewelry for Christie’s Americas commented, “The New York Jewelry Sale realized an outstanding $50 million, making it the most valuable jewelry auction ever held in the U.S. Ten jewels sold over $1 million and diamonds stole the show all across the board, with a sensational $175,000 per carat paid for a 39 carat perfect gem. Bidding was robust throughout the day, underscoring the continued strength of the jewelry market and the global appetite for important stones.”