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‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for 20.5 Million Swiss Francs at Christie’s Geneva

The result fell well below its 2014 price, reflecting a more cautious market for elite colored stones.

A model wears a late 19th century ruby and diamond tiara convertible to a necklace inherited by Helena Violet Alice Fraser, later 3rd Countess of Stradbroke, during an auction preview at Christie's in Geneva, Switzerland, November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
The Rainbow Collection, comprising over 300 coloured diamonds spanning the full chromatic spectrum from red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink to grey, is pictured during an auction preview at Christie's in Geneva, Switzerland November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
A model wears a ring set with the Mellon Blue, a 9.51-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond graded Internally Flawless and estimated at $20-30 million, during an auction preview at Christie's in Geneva, Switzerland, November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
A model holds a ring set with the Mellon Blue, a 9.51-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond graded Internally Flawless and estimated at $20-30 million, during an auction preview at Christie's in Geneva, Switzerland, November 7, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Overview

  • Christie’s sold the 9.51-carat Mellon Blue for 20,525,000 Swiss francs, reported at roughly $25.5–$26.6 million including fees, at its Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva.
  • Graded by the GIA as Fancy Vivid Blue and Internally Flawless, the pear-shaped stone was long associated with U.S. arts patron Rachel “Bunny” Mellon.
  • The price landed within Christie’s presale estimate, yet it trailed the diamond’s 2014 auction result of $32.6 million, a drop of about 22 percent before inflation.
  • Christie’s executives praised strong collector interest, while market observers pointed to geopolitical tensions and weaker Chinese demand as factors behind restrained bidding.
  • The auction opened Geneva’s jewelry week, with Sotheby’s set to offer the Glowing Rose vivid pink diamond on Wednesday with expectations around $20 million.