The 14.83-carat jewel, cut from crystal mined in Russia in 2017, was called “The Spirit of the Rose”, after a ballet performed by the Ballets Russes and Vaslav Nijinsky in 1911.
The hammer price of CHF21 million before commission was reached after just a few minutes, when it was bought by a telephone bidder who chose to remain anonymous, Sotheby’s said on Wednesday.
Coloured stones have been greatly valued as an asset class by the wealthy in recent years, with top-quality pink diamonds especially prized, according to the Reuters news agency.
The Argyle mine in western Australia, which had produced the world’s largest supply of pink diamonds, stopped production last week due to depletion.
“The lucky buyer could well profit from prices soaring for pink diamonds in the coming years thanks to increased rarity,” Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, Europe’s largest online diamond jeweller, said in a statement.
In 2018 the ‘Pink Legacy’ diamond garnered CHF45.7 million when it was auctioned by Christie’s, also in Geneva, setting a record price per carat for a stone of its kind.
The absolute record price for a pink diamond was the “Star Pink”, sold for CHF65 million in Hong Kong in 2017.
Record organ donation in Switzerland despite high rejection rates
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More organ donations were recorded in Switzerland in 2023 than ever before. This was despite a high rejection rate of 58% by surviving relatives.
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Seven years after the death of record-breaking Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck, his estate is going to the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern.
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
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The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
Swiss electricity supply outlook positive despite uncertainties
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Thanks to well-filled gas stores in Europe and increased availability of French nuclear power, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission is optimistic.
Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
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Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has repeated calls for banks and their holdings in subsidiaries abroad to hold more equity.
Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
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Last year, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) conducted 27 investigations and initiated 17 preliminary investigations.
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Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
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Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
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Earring record shattered at Geneva auction
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Sotheby’s in Geneva has set a record auction price for a pair of earrings, selling a duo of blue and pink diamond jewels for $57 million.
Chinese vase sells for millions, 10,000 times estimated value
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“Including the commission, the vase will cost the Asian buyer CHF6.08 million,” auctioneer Olivier Fichot told the AFP news agency. The 60cm high vase with three blue dragons on a yellow background was listed in the catalogue as originating from the beginning of the 20th century with a fake 18th century Qianlong seal. Qing dynasty?…
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.