RAPAPORT... Fortuna recorded its largest auction to date as a blue diamond ring fetched $1.4 million in New York earlier this month.
The pear-shaped, 3.05-carat, fancy-intense-blue, SI2-clarity
diamond ring surrounded by pink diamonds had a presale estimate of $1.2 million
to $1.8 million.
That piece led Fortuna’s Magnificent Jewels sale, which garnered
a total of $4 million, with 83% of lots sold. Other notable items included an
old European-cut, 6.95-carat, J-color, VS2-clarity diamond ring surrounded by
5.25 carats of yellow diamonds, signed by designer René Boivin, which sold for
$137,500 against a presale estimate of $130,000 to $160,000. An Art Deco
bracelet by Cartier, featuring 5.25 carats of baguette- and rectangular-cut
sapphires, accented with a total of 8.80 carats of diamonds, went for $75,000,
within its valuation of $60,000 to $90,000.
The total included an Important Watches auction the following day. A Rolex Submariner Ref. 5512 with square crown guards went
for $93,750. That piece is one of fewer than 100 believed to exist,
with only 30 pieces known to the market, Fortuna said. Its original estimate
was $100,000 to $150,000.
Image: The 3.05-carat fancy-intense-blue diamond ring. (Fortuna)
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