Bleu Royal: Vivid blue diamond could fetch over $50 million at Christie's auction

Christie's hopes Bleu Royal's final bid will surpass Oppenheimer Blue's, which fetched over $57 million in 2016

Web Desk

November 02, 2023

Christie’s auction house intern Carola Chiadini holds the Bleu Royal diamond, weighing 17.61 carats, which is the largest to appear for sale in auction history, and that could sell for up to $50 million during an auction preview in Geneva, Switzerland, November 1, 2023.—Reuters — Christie’s auction house intern Carola Chiadini holds the "Bleu Royal" diamond, weighing 17.61 carats, which is the largest to appear for sale in auction history, and that could sell for up to $50 million during an auction preview in Geneva, Switzerland, November 1, 2023.—Reuters

The largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond ever to be auctioned, known as "Bleu Royal," is set to go under the hammer at Christie's in Geneva on November 7.

With an estimated value of up to $50 million, this 17.6-carat gem is exceptionally rare and boasts a rich, natural blue colour. It is also internally flawless, making it even more valuable. Christie's hopes it will surpass the sale of the "Oppenheimer Blue" in 2016, which fetched over $57 million.

Additionally, Christie's will hold an online auction from November 3-16, featuring Audrey Hepburn's pearl necklace worn in the final scene of the film "Roman Holiday." This iconic piece is priced between $20,000 and $30,000, making it accessible to a wide range of enthusiasts who want to capture a bit of Audrey Hepburn's timeless elegance.

A pearl necklace worn by film and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn in the final scene of the movie Roman Holiday from 1953, and that could sell for $20,000 to $30,000, lies down on top of a photograph of the actress during a preview at Christie’s in Geneva, Switzerland, November 1, 2023. —Reuters — A pearl necklace worn by film and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn in the final scene of the movie "Roman Holiday" from 1953, and that could sell for $20,000 to $30,000, lies down on top of a photograph of the actress during a preview at Christie’s in Geneva, Switzerland, November 1, 2023. —Reuters

The auction house will also present a Rolex wristwatch that Marlon Brando wore in the 1979 movie "Apocalypse Now." What makes this timepiece truly unique is the actor's engraved signature on the back, which he added to prevent it from being accidentally swapped during filming.

Valued at 1-2 million Swiss francs, the watch previously sold for $2.2 million, making it one of the most recognizable pieces of memorabilia associated with Marlon Brando.

A Rolex wristwatch worn by Marlon Brando in the 1979 movie Apocalypse Now, on the back of which the actor engraved his signature to avoid having it swapped accidentally during shooting, is seen during an auction preview at Christie’s in Geneva, Switzerland, November 1, 2023. — Reuters — A Rolex wristwatch worn by Marlon Brando in the 1979 movie "Apocalypse Now", on the back of which the actor engraved his signature to avoid having it swapped accidentally during shooting, is seen during an auction preview at Christie’s in Geneva, Switzerland, November 1, 2023. — Reuters

Both items, linked to iconic actors, are expected to attract significant interest from collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, continuing the trend of unique and valuable items in the auction world.