Christie’s had a very good day on Wednesday, taking in more than $66.5 million (51,859,550 in Swiss francs) at its Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva, with 99% of lots finding buyers and 84% selling above their high estimates.
The May 13 event concluded with the 5.5 ct. Ocean Dream making history as the most expensive fancy vivid blue-green diamond ever sold at auction, achieving CHF 13,567,500 ($17,366,400).
“It was thrilling to see three international collectors participating in a spirited bidding battle for the final lot of the sale, lasting 20 minutes,” said Max Fawcett (pictured above), Christie’s global head of jewelry, in a statement.
The Ocean Dream, which went into the sale estimated at 7 million to 10 million francs, also ended up the priciest lot of the entire Geneva Luxury Week.
Besides crossing the $10 million threshold with the Ocean Dream, Christie’s sold two lots above $5 million each and another 13 lots for higher than $1 million. A two-row natural pearl necklace with diamond clasp was purchased for $5,308,160 (CHF 4,147,000), more than three times its high estimate.
Among the auction’s other standouts: a 22+ ct. Kashmir sapphire ring by Chaumet, which brought in $3,512,320 (CHF 2,744,000); a Cartier Tutti Frutti clip-brooch from the 1930s, selling for $1,349,248 (CHF 1,054,100); and an art deco Boucheron necklace of rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and onyx, created for the 1925 Paris Exposition, at $1,544,320 (CHF 1,206,500).
“The market for top-quality jewels and gemstones is exceptionally strong,” commented Fawcett. Magnificent Jewels bidders came from 40 countries, with 41% from Europe, 27% from the Americas, and 28% from Asia Pacific. Eight bidders were first-time registrants at a Christie’s sale, the company added.
The Cartier sautoir worn in the 1974 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, which Christie’s had highlighted ahead of the sale, surpassed its presale estimate of CHF 240,000–400,000, selling for CHF 444,500 ($568,960). Another notable Cartier piece, a flamingo brooch, based on a design originally commissioned for Wallis Simpson in 1940, sold for $406,400 (CHF 317,500). Cartier’s circa 1920 art deco diamond tiara fetched $894,080 (CHF 698,500), nearly three times its low estimate.
Christie’s also achieved record results in another of its Geneva Luxury Week events, the Rare Watches sale on May 11 and 12. A 1990 Cartier “London Crash” set a world record for the model at $2,028,800 (CHF 1,585,000), triple its low estimate. Overall, Rare Watches brought in $42,309,684 (CHF 33,054,441), the highest amount ever for a multi-owner watch auction at Christie’s.
Combined, the house’s Geneva Luxury Week sales have totaled approximately $108 million (CHF 85 million) so far. Its Jewels Online auction remains open through May 19.
Top: Christie’s jewelry head Max Fawcett during bidding on the Ocean Dream at the Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva earlier this week. (photo courtesy of Christie’s Ltd. 2026)
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