Auctions

The 100-Carat ‘Spectacle’ Diamond Sells for $14M

AuctionsMay 13, 2021

The 100-Carat ‘Spectacle’ Diamond Sells for $14M

It sold at the low end of its estimated range at Christie’s jewelry auction in Geneva.

20210513_Christies.jpg
Estimated to sell for approximately $13 million to $20 million, “The Spectacle” diamond went for $14.1 million at Christie’s Geneva this week.
Geneva—“The Spectacle” found a buyer at Christie’s Geneva’s Magnificent Jewels sale on Wednesday.
 
The 100.94-carat, D-color, internally flawless Type IIa diamond sold for $14.1 million, landing at the lower end of its $13.2 million-$19.8 million pre-sale estimated range. 
 
The emerald-cut stone is said to be the largest diamond ever cut in Russia. 
 
Alrosa recovered the diamond, originally a 207.29-carat chunk of rough, in Udachny in 2016, later polishing it at the Diamonds of Alrosa facility in Moscow. 
 
Only the third D-color diamond weighing more than 100 carats Christie’s has offered at auction, it earned the lowest price of its high-quality heavyweight counterparts. 
 
The 101.73-carat flawless “The Winston Legacy” garnered $26.7 million in 2013, and the 163.41-carat flawless “Creation I” earned $33.7 million in 2017. 
 
Also topping the sale was a diamond ring featuring a Type IIa 15.23-carat, oval mixed-cut fancy intense pink diamond. It sold for $9.5 million, within its estimated range of $7.7 million-$12.1 million.

 
The next highest-grossing lot was a diamond ring from Boucheron. It smashed its $1.3 million to $1.7 million estimate, garnering approximately $3.5 million.
 
The three-stone style features a fancy purplish-pink rectangular cut-cornered, 8.06-carat center stone flanked by tapered baguette-cut diamonds.

20210513_Christies3.jpg
This “Superb Colored Diamond and Diamond Ring” from Boucheron more than doubled its pre-sale estimate at Christie’s Geneva Wednesday.

A diamond pendant featuring a 53.53-carat, D-color, heart-shaped Type IIa diamond landed in its $2.2 million to $3.3 million range when it sold for $3.1 million.

20210513_Christies4.jpg
A “Superb Diamond Pendant” featuring a 53.53-carat, D-color, heart-shaped Type IIa diamond
 
The fifth highest-selling lot was a colored diamond pendant necklace, which earned $2.7 million. It was estimated to sell for between $2.4 and $3.1 million. 
 
The necklace featured fancy color diamonds of varying hues, with a fancy brown-yellow pear brilliant-cut diamond weighing 141.22 carats, the piece’s focal point.

20210513_Christies5.jpg
A “Colored Diamond and Diamond Pendant Necklace” with 141.22-carat fancy brown-yellow pear-shaped diamond

Another notable auction star was a sapphire and diamond crown from the 19th century. 
 
It belonged to Queen Maria II of Portugal and the Algarves (1819-1853), Infanta Antónia of Portugal (1845-1913), and William, Prince of Hohenzollern (1864-1927), respectively.

20210513_Christies6.jpg
This “Important 19th Century Sapphire and Diamond Crown” sold for about $2 million.
 
It is set with octagonal step-cut and oval-shaped sapphires, certified as Burmese no heat, in addition to varied old-cut diamonds. 
 
Estimated to fetch between roughly $187,000 and $386,000, it sold for nearly $2 million.  
 
See the full sales results on Christies.com.

 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

trend retail.jpg
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscast

test

Screenshot from 2026-01-12 06-22-03.png
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
New podcast without sponsor

test

20210205_Alexia_Connellan_Gatsby_earrings.jpg
TrendsJan 12, 2026
New test Article

test article

trend ss21@2x.jpg
Brought to you by
new sponsored article

test

2019_De_Beers_rough_NEW_1.jpg
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
New sponsored podcast

test

Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
MNQ FINAL - NJ web - 1872 x 1052 px.png
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the Podcast

A monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals

Screenshot from 2025-12-31 12-03-28.png
PodcastsDec 31, 2025
Test new podcast post

Test new podcast post

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

MNQ - studio - screen -1920 x 1080.png
PodcastsDec 29, 2025
Molly Test Podcast Episode

This is the abstract for Molly Test Podcast Episode

image 169 (4 col).png
PodcastsDec 10, 2025
Podcast With Video

Podcast Without Video or Audio or Image

image 169 (4 col).jpg
Recorded WebinarsDec 04, 2025
New Recorded Webinar for tests

New Recorded Webinar for tests

User-Avatar-PNG-Picture.png
PodcastsDec 03, 2025
Test Article Title

test Abstract

20210204_Couture_show_shot.jpg
PodcastsDec 02, 2025
New podcast

test desc

Screenshot from 2025-12-05 13-54-41.png
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With Video

Test Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.

Image for tests
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast Post

Abstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling Luxury

Ahead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.

Simon meet me at the mall campaign
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’

The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Platinum Guild International training
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales Training

Retail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.

Gathering at Bharat Diamond Bourse for COVID vaccinations
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures

For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.

Rough diamonds mined at the Diavik Diamond Mine
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s Life

Commercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.

Stock image of hand holding phone by keyboard
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday Season

Deloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.

Sylvie and Uncommon Man Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s Bands

The Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.

Diamond on polishing wheel Venus Jewel India
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’?

Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.

Rio Tinto 2024 Beyond RareTM Tender Art Series
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender

The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.

Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Heller
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New Collection

A portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.

Hill & Co. logo
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is Out

The first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.

Benjamin Clymer and the Porsche Design x Hodinkee limited-edition watch
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—Hodinkee

The company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy