Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale held Nov. 13 in Geneva garnered more than $110 million, and nearly half of that was due to a very special pink diamond.
The Pink Legacy, the 18.96-carat rectangular-cut fancy vivid pink diamond, the largest and finest pink diamond Christie’s has offered at auction to date, is now part of the Harry Winston collection.
Christened the “The Winston Pink Legacy,” it sold to the iconic jeweler for $50.4 million, just exceeding its $30-$50 million pre-sale estimate.
It’s the most expensive pink diamond ever sold at Christie’s, and it set a world auction record for highest price per carat for a pink diamond.
Nayla Hayek, CEO of Swatch Group, which owns Harry Winston, said, “We are proud to continue in the Winston tradition of acquiring the finest gems in the world, and tonight The Winston Pink Legacy joins our incredible legacy collection, which began with the acquisition of the 101-carat, D Flawless, Winston Legacy diamondat Christie’s in 2013.”
Christie’s International Head of Jewelry Rahul Kadakia accepted the winning bid for the Pink Legacy after five minutes of “spirited bidding,” the auction house said.
“This exceptional diamond captured the imagination of international collectors across the globe, with over 30,000 people visiting Christie’s sale previews to see this remarkable stone,” Kadakia said. “It has taken its rightful place among the world’s greatest diamonds.”