NEW YORK, NY.- Christies Jewels Online (June 16-30) totaled $4,164,500, with 100% sold by value, 93% sold by lot, achieving 140% hammer above low estimate, and 64% of lots selling at or above their high estimate. Estimated at $1-2m, the 28.86 Carat, D Color Diamond was the highest valued lot ever offered in a Christies online sale. The impressive stone received bids immediately upon the sale going live on June 16. After a fierce competition of 31 bids, from four countries spanning Asia to America, the exceptional stone sold for $2,115,000, setting the new record for a jewel sold in an online auction.
Overall the online sale received significant global participation with bidders represented from 27 countries and 5 continents. Additionally, there was an unprecedented amount of online engagement across a global spread of 134 countries with a 70% increase of daily visitors to the sale page compared to the online Jewels sale hosted in June 2019. Full sale results can be viewed
here.
Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewelry at Christies, notes, The spectacular 28.86 carat D color diamond received immediate attention upon its announcement. The stone possesses a transparency and purity which can only be found in the worlds finest diamonds. The sale of this exceptional stone established the record for a jewel sold in an online-only auction, demonstrating greater client confidence in Christies digital ability and online sale platform. We now look forward to the beginning of our live auction season for jewelry spanning all major Christies global sale sites led by a US$8m Fancy Intense Blue IF Diamond of 12.11 carats offered in Hong Kong on July 9.
Christies Jewels sales calendar for July 2020 includes live and online auctions in Geneva, Hong Kong, London, New York, and Paris. The global sales will collectively feature over 1,000 jewels, including a significant selection of colorless diamonds, colored diamonds, and rare gemstones, along with signed creations by Belperron, Bulgari, Cartier, Graff, Harry Winston, JAR, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, and Verdura, with estimates ranging from $5,000 to $8m.