3.63-ct “Salt and Pepper” Pink Fails to Sell

The highlight of Sotheby’s Fine Jewelry sale in New York – a rare 3.63-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond failed to find a buyer.

The unmounted, cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut stone carried a pre-auction estimate of $1m to $1.5m , reflecting both its unusual color and its potential appeal to collectors.

But bidding at the auction, on 11 December, stalled below the consignor’s undisclosed reserve, leaving the stone unsold.

Market observers suggested that bidders were likely deterred by the diamond’s noticeable “salt and pepper” inclusions, which significantly affected its clarity.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graded the stone as I2 clarity, raising concerns about transparency and overall visual appeal.

Observers say buyers in today’s cautious high-end market are increasingly unwilling to compromise on clarity, particularly for unmounted stones, where inclusions are more apparent, even when the color is considered rare and desirable.

Source: DCLA

6.17-ct Fancy Pink could Fetch $1.8m

A 6.17-carat fancy pink diamond is expected to fetch up to $1.8m in an online auction.

The Angelina belonged to Willa Dean Lyon, wife of Maj Gen William Lyon, and was named after their granddaughter.

Maj Gen Lyon was a successful businessman and real estate magnate from Southern California who built over 100,000 homes across the US. He died in 2020, aged 97. His wife died last year, aged 92.

The VVS2 oval modified brilliant diamond is set in an 18k white and rose gold ring, with about 1.00-cts of near-colorless diamonds.

It is being sold by Heritage Auctions, based in Dallas, as part of its Holiday Fine Jewelry Signature Auction, which closes on 3 December. The estimate is $1.2m to $1.8m.

According to the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF), fancy pinks have appreciated by roughly 116 per cent over the past decade, outpacing all other fancy color categories for their investment potential.

Source: DCLA