Blue‑green diamond sells for $17.3 million, setting a new record.
A 5.5‑carat triangular‑cut blue‑green diamond known as the “Ocean Dream” sold for 13.5 million Swiss francs ($17.3 million) at Christie’s Geneva auction on Wednesday. The piece, excavated from Central Africa in the 1990s, surpassed its 7‑10 million‑franc reserve and was purchased by an unnamed private client in roughly twenty minutes, indicating strong buyer interest.
The transaction more than doubled the diamond’s 2014 Christie’s price of about 8.5 million USD. The stone had previously been displayed in the Smithsonian’s “Splendour of Diamonds” exhibition in 2003.
On Tuesday, Sotheby’s held a Geneva auction featuring a 6‑carat fancy vivid blue diamond from South Africa’s Cullinan mine. The item failed to sell, despite a presale estimate of 7.2‑9.6 million francs ($9.2‑12.3 million). Sotheby’s announced ongoing negotiations with prospective buyers.
Both auction houses noted that demand for rare colored diamonds has risen, though such gems comprise a small percentage of total diamond production.