Sotheby’s Geneva will offer the Beau Sancy, an important historical diamond passed through four royal families at its sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels here on May 15.
Weighing 34.98 carats, the modified pear double rose-cut diamond is estimated to realize $2-$4 million.
The Beau Sancy, A modified pear double rose cut diamond
weighing 34.98 carats (est. $2-4 million)
“The Beau Sancy is one of the most fascinating and romantic gems ever to appear at auction, and it is an immense privilege for Sotheby’s to handle the sale,” David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s jewellery department in Europe and the Middle East and co-chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland, said.
The Beau Sancy has been handed down through royal families of France, England, Prussia and the House of Orange, carrying more than 400 years of European history, according to Sotheby’s. It was first acquired by Nicolas de Harlay, Lord of Sancy, in the mid-to-late 1500s, and is believed to have originated from mines in south-central India near the city of Golconda.
The diamond has been shown publically only four times in the past 50 years, and will be showcased in an international tour before its auction:
Hong Kong: March 30-April 2
New York: April 14-16
Rome: April 19
Paris: April 24-25
London: April 27-30
Zurich: May 2-3
Geneva: May 11-15
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/2012/magnificent-jewels-and-noble-jewels/overview.html
The Beau Sancy blew its pre-sale estimate of $2 to $4 million right out of the water. I'm not surprised. I was predicting circa $8 million. In the end: $9,699,618.
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