It was predictably that there would be a tiara trend following the recent royal wedding and the tiara Kate Middleton had borrowed from William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.
Just last week it was announced that a Victorian tiara, once belonged to Hannah Primrose, Britain’s wealthiest woman at one time, will be going up for auction at Christie’s and is expected to sell for over $2 million.
And now it seems that a rare Emerald and diamond tiara that was sold during a Sotheby’s auction set a new world record when it sold in Geneva. Previously, it was expected that the tiara would sell for anywhere between $5 million and $10 million, but surprised auction-goers when it sold for over $12 million.
“This evening’s results, across the board–in noble jewels, diamonds, colored gemstones, and pieces signed by the world’s greatest jewelers–show the extraordinary appetite among connoisseurs for rarity, quality and provenance,” David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry department for Europe and the Middle East, said according to National Jeweler.
But Sotheby’s wasn’t the only auction house reaping the benefits of the Royal Wedding effect, as Christie’s also benefitted in Switzerland following their Magnificent jewels auction on May 18th.
A more than 130 carat Burmese sapphire set a new record for sapphires recently when it was auction, and sold for $7.1 million dollars. Not surprising after the worldwide demand for sapphires rose following the proposal of Prince William to Middleton with his mother’s famous sapphire and diamond ring.
The entire was considered a success after brining in a stunning total sale of $78 Million, setting world record in multiple categories.
“The jewelry sale in Geneva was marked by strong bidding,” Francois Curiel, president of Christie’s Switzerland, said. “Forty-two years after our first sale in Switzerland, Geneva remains a vital, specialized auction center in today’s global market.”