Blue diamonds dominated Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction, with two rare stones accounting for more than US$16 million in sales and setting the pace for an event that brought in nearly US$50 million.

Leading the auction was The Azure Blue, a 31.62-carat Fancy Blue Diamond that sold for US$8.37 million. Another blue diamond, a 5.04-carat Fancy Vivid Blue marquise-cut stone, followed closely at US$8.13 million, underscoring continued demand for rare coloured diamonds among international collectors.

Beyond the blue diamonds, sapphires emerged as one of the strongest-performing categories.

• Three sapphire rings each crossed the US$1.7 million mark, led by an Exceptional Sapphire and Diamond Ring at US$2.27 million
• Another sapphire ring sold for US$2.15 million, while
• A Graff sapphire and diamond ring fetched US$1.78 million.

Claibourne Poindexter, head of jewellery, Americas at Christie’s, said, “From rare blue diamonds to extraordinary sapphires and rubies, the strength of demand across categories—particularly coloured stones—underscores the global enthusiasm for jewels of beauty, rarity, and provenance.”

Private collections also generated competitive bidding. Several pieces from The Joanna Carson Collection exceeded expectations, including a sapphire and diamond ring that sold for US$508,000 against a low estimate of US$50,000. Sapphire earrings from the collection brought US$457,200, while an emerald and diamond ring sold for US$368,300.

Elsewhere in the sale, ruby jewellery, natural pearls, and signed vintage pieces posted solid results. A pair of David Morris ruby and diamond pendant earrings sold for US$1.42 million, while an antique natural pearl and diamond brooch achieved US$1.24 million. A Van Cleef & Arpels retro bracelet brought US$317,500, and an Art Deco diamond bow brooch sold for US$241,300.

The auction closed at US$49.69 million and sold every lot offered. Christie’s reported participation from buyers across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, reflecting the global nature of the high-end jewellery market.