Priceless Mediterranean Gem Sells for $21.5 Million at Sotheby's Bidding Event
Rewritten Article:
Buckle up, folks! Amongst the glitz and glamour of auctions, a blue diamond— nicknamed the "Mediterranean Marvel"— stole the show when it sold for a whopping $21.5 million at Sotheby’s Geneva auction.
You know, these blue diamonds are about as common as a unicorn on roller skates, so when one surfaces, it's a real head-turner. This stunner weighed in at an impressive 10.3 carats. Previously valued at around $20 million, it sure didn't disappoint during the bidding war! The initial bid was nine million Swiss francs (around $10.8 million), but it swiftly escalated like waves crashing against the Mediterranean shore. The victorious bidder, an American collector, splashed out 17.9 million Swiss francs ($21.5 million) for the jewel.
So, where did this beauty come from, you ask? Well, it was unearthed at the famed Cullinan mines in South Africa. You’ll find some of the world's most precious diamonds originating from these mines, and our Mediterranean Marvel is no exception. It belongs to a rare breed of blue diamonds that exist on this big blue planet we call Earth.
Before its big show in Geneva, the Mediterranean Marvel made a dazzling debut at Sotheby's Abu Dhabi, where it was presented alongside other high-value diamonds and gemstones, collectively worth over $100 million.
Did you know? Only 0.3% of all diamonds have a natural blue hue, and even fewer boast the "Fancy Vivid Blue" coloration like our Mediterranean Marvel. That's what makes this diamond so extraordinary!
As for the "Jewel of the Mediterranean," our research didn't uncover any specific info on that particular diamond. If there's a different blue diamond with that moniker, we're eager to learn more! Meanwhile, the current owner of the Mediterranean Marvel is keeping their identity under wraps— which is just as well, because we're all about the precious gems, not the gem-grabbers!
Thisextraordinary Mediterranean Marvel, a rare Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, surpassed its estimated value and generated a headline-grabbing auction price of $21.5 million at Sotheby's Geneva. Before its grand unveiling, it captivated audiences at Sotheby's Abu Dhabi, entwined with high-value gemstones collectively valued above $100 million, reflecting a fusion of finance and luxury lifestyle. Despite its astronomical worth, the identity of the mysterious American collector remains hidden, maintaining a sense of intrigue surrounding this precious gemstone within the realm of entertainment.
