The diamond was previously known as “Juno”, named after the Roman goddess of fertility and light, and comfortably surpassed the pre-sale estimate. The new owner has renamed the pear-shaped, internally flawless, type IIA diamond “Claire” in honour of his wife.
The diamond is well-known for its impressive size, similar to that of a small egg, and had a pre-sale estimate of $US10 million.
Quig Bruning, head of jewellery, Sotheby’s America said, “Just a handful of diamonds over 100 carats have ever been offered at auction. The fact that we have two in one sale is rare beyond rare.”
The Claire G is one of just 12 D-colour diamonds to have been sold at auction since 1990. Sotheby's has sold seven of those.
“We are thrilled to see this exceptional diamond achieve such a strong result, it’s confirmation that there’s ongoing demand from collectors at the highest levels of the market,” Bruning added.
Another pear-shaped diamond weighing 111.59 carats known as “Earth Star” performed below expectations when it was sold for $US693,000 ($AU993,027), despite a pre-sale low estimate of around $US1.5 million.
The fancy deep orange-brown diamond was originally cut from a 248.9-carat rough diamond discovered in South Africa in 1967 and set on a pendant created by jewellery designer David Webb.
The Earth Star was listed in the book “Famous Diamonds” by Lord Ian Balfour and is reputed to be the second-largest diamond of the same cut, size and colour to be auctioned.
43-carat fancy colour beauty
Meanwhile, a 43.15-carat fancy yellow diamond ring took centre stage at the Phillips New York Jewels tender.
The round brilliant-cut VS2-clarity yellow diamond ring set in brilliant, single and baguette-cut smaller white diamonds fetched $US816,500 ($AU1.17 million) during the tender.
The auction returned sales totalling $US5.2 million ($AU7.45 million).
While the auction sold around 75 per cent of the lots, it failed to sell several pieces that were expected to attract buyers.
Among them, a 17.62-carat VVS1-clarity diamond ring with an estimated value of $US1.3 million and a cushion-shaped mixed-cut Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring valued at $US800,000.
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