Pre-Auction Analysis: May 2017, Sotheby’s and Christie’s Geneva

This Sotheby’s and Christie’s Geneva pre-auction analysis has a relatively large amount of blue fancy color diamonds and will focus on visual elements and other general observations that are not expressed on the GIA report, nor on the catalogue, such as, Undertone, Color Dispersion, and Inner-Grade (UDI). We use grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 to describe these features. The grade 4+ is used only in special cases to describe extraordinary visual characteristics. Stones with a total quality score that range from 8 to 12 are considered to be top gems and are suitable for high jewelry, collectables, and so on.

It is often difficult to identify these characteristics when viewing fancy color diamonds only in an auction catalogue, especially when the images are heavily processed. All images in this review were taken with an iPhone 7.

Important note: We strongly recommend downloading the beta version of the new FCRF app and using the auction calculator. This app lets you calculate your bidding price (per carat), including the house commission, as you follow the lot.

Sotheby’s May 16th

Lot No’ 377

14.54 carat fancy vivid blue pear shape diamond, IF

High catalog estimation: US$3.7 million per carat

Price Realized Per Carat- US$ 2.8 million

General

From the classic cutting style of this rare diamond, it is quite clear that the stone was manufactured toward the end of the last millennium. At the time, modified cuts were not very common. Although some people look at any brilliant cut (in a fancy shape) as a virtue, it is in fact a cut that reduces the