GENEVA (AFP) ― A centuries-old diamond passed down through generations of European royalty fetched nine million Swiss francs ($9.7 million) at auction in Geneva on Tuesday.
The 35-carat “Beau Sancy” diamond was worn by Marie de Medici, Queen consort of Henry IV, at her coronation in 1610.
Five bidders spanning three continents competed for the historic jewel at a Sotheby’s auction where there was little evidence of the current global financial woes.
A picture taken on May 10 shows a model posing with the Beau Sancy diamond during a Sotheby’s auction press preview in Geneva. (AFP-Yonhap News)
An anonymous telephone bidder purchased the jewel, put on the market by the House of Prussia and described by Sotheby’s as one of the “most fascinating and romantic” gems ever to come to auction.
The buyer paid 9,042,500 Swiss francs ($9,699,618) including the buyer’s premium for the pear-shaped, double rose cut diamond ― more than double the $2 million to $4 million estimate.
“You are buying an historic work of art ― you are not buying a diamond,” said Philipp Herzog von Wuerttenberg, chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, following the sale.
“I fell in love with it when I saw it. It’s the cut, it’s the history,” he said.
The Beau Sancy attracted bids from North America, Europe and Asia, he said, refusing to give further details about the buyer.
The diamond’s royal connections date back to 1604 when it was bought for Henri IV of France at the insistence of his wife Marie de Medici who wore it atop her crown at her coronation.
