A stunning emerald brooch once owned by the Aga Khan fetched $8.8 million at a recent Christie’s auction in Geneva, surpassing its estimated value and setting a world record for the most expensive emerald ever sold at auction.
The brooch, which can also be worn as a pendant, features a 37-carat Colombian emerald set in a design surrounded by marquise-shaped diamonds. It was one of the top-selling items at the November 12 Magnificent Jewels sale, with eight of the top 10 lots surpassing their estimates, according to Christie’s.
This remarkable piece returned to the auction block for the first time in 55 years. Originally auctioned at Christie’s Geneva in 1969, it was commissioned in 1960 by Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, a French-born former UN diplomat and activist. He had the jewel created by Cartier Paris as a gift for his wife. The brooch was expected to fetch up to CHF 7 million ($7.9 million) at this sale.
The auction overall brought in CHF 47.9 million ($54.3 million), featuring jewels from the Sassoon family collection and pieces by famous designers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Harry Winston, and Mouawad. A remarkable 92% of the items sold, with more than two-thirds exceeding their high estimates. The auction attracted buyers from 37 countries.
Max Fawcett, Christie’s Head of Jewelry for Europe, described the sale as a “huge success,” noting strong bidding activity on every lot from global collectors. “The market for signed vintage jewels and colored gemstones of the highest quality is stronger than ever,” he said. “We are very proud to have set a world record for the most expensive emerald ever sold at auction.”
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