Blue Diamond Sells for Over $25 Million at Geneva Auction
A 9.51-carat vivid blue diamond, once owned by philanthropist Bunny Mellon, sold for more than $25 million at a Christie's auction in Geneva. The stone is renowned for its superb colour and extraordinary purity.
Details of the Sale
- The diamond, known as Mellon Blue, achieved a price in line with its pre-sale estimate of $20–30 million.
- Its sale marked Christie's third-highest price for a vivid blue diamond.
- The auction house, founded in 1766, described the stone as remarkable.
Historical Context and Record Prices
"Rachel Lambert 'Bunny' Mellon (1910–2014), the American horticulturalist, philanthropist, and art collector, was a previous owner."
Christie’s record for the highest price for a vivid blue diamond remains the Oppenheimer Blue, a 14.62-carat stone that sold for $57.5 million in 2016. The Bleu Royal, at 17.61 carats, fetched $39.5 million.
Author’s Summary
The Mellon Blue diamond, once owned by Bunny Mellon, sold for over $25 million in Geneva, highlighting its exceptional quality and placing it among the top vivid blue diamonds ever sold at Christie's.