Magnificent fancy vivid blue diamond ring

Claw-set with a fancy vivid blue pear-shaped modified brilliant-cut diamond weighing 5.96 carats, mounted in yellow gold and platinum, size 52, illustrated unmounted.

Stamped 750 for gold and Pt 950 for platinum. Mounted as a ring with a surround of brilliant-cut diamonds of pink tint. Please refer to the GIA certificate for further information on the Fancy Vivid Blue diamond. Condition as new.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Blue Diamonds: Mirrors of the sky

Fancy coloured diamond connoisseurs have a special passion for blue diamonds. They are extremely rare, as the only known reliable source is the historical South African Cullinan mine. In May 2009, Petra Diamonds, the new owners of the Cullinan mine, consigned for sale a 7.03 carat fancy vivid blue diamond at Sotheby's Geneva which realised the new world record price for a fancy vivid blue diamond at auction and the new world record price per carat for any gemstone at auction. Blue diamonds owe their colour to the presence of a small concentration of boron atoms within their crystalline structure. As it is difficult to find a blue diamond without some measure of grey or violet, true blue diamonds, such as the present stone, have been highly coveted for many years.

In the last few years, the market for blue diamonds has reached astounding new price levels at auction as shown below.

•  A fancy vivid blue step-cut diamond weighing 6.04 carats sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, October 2007 for $7,981,835 ($1,321,495 per carat)*
*Broke the previous world record price per carat for any gemstone at auction

• A fancy vivid blue pear-shaped diamond weighing 4.16 carats sold at Sotheby's Geneva, November 2007 for $4,727,986 ($1,136,535 per carat)

• A fancy vivid blue pear-shaped diamond weighing 3.73 carats sold at Sotheby's Geneva, May 2008 for $4,955,097 ($1,328,444 per carat)

• The "Star of Josephine", a fancy vivid blue cushion-shaped diamond weighing 7.03 carats sold at Sotheby's Geneva, May 2009 for $9,488,754 ($1,349,751 per carat)**
                     
**Current world record price for a fancy vivid blue diamond at auction and the world record price per carat for any gemstone at auction

Sotheby's is proud to offer the present 5.96 carat fancy vivid blue pear-shaped diamond. It is a truly rare and magnificent gem without any secondary colour which has been carefully cut to achieve finely balanced proportions and overall harmony. It will surely attract the attention of true connoisseurs worldwide.