[1]The Beau Sancy diamond, which is thought to be a product of the Indian diamond mines of Golconda, was auctioned for $9.7 million by the Sotheby’s as part of its jewellery sale in Geneva on Tuesday.
The 34.98-carat legendary diamond, a modified pear double rose cut, had been estimated to sell for $2-$4 million and was sold for $9,699,618, almost five times its low estimate as five bidders competed for the diamond, driving up the price.
“After a battle of nearly eight minutes, the celebrated jewel was finally bought by an anonymous buyer bidding over the telephone,” Sotheby’s said.
The Beau Sancy, which was passed down through the royal families of France, England, Prussia, and the House of Orange, was worn by Marie de Medici in 1610 at her coronation as Queen consort of Henri IV of France.
The diamond had last been in the possession of German royal Georg Friedrich Ferdinand, Prince of Prussia, head of the Imperial House of Hohenzollern and great-great-grandson of Wilhelm II, the last Kaiser of Germany.
The Beau Sancy would have been discovered in Golconda mines, the world’s sole source of diamonds until the discoveries of diamond mines in Brazil in the 1720s.
Diamond mining in India is believed to have started about 400 BC. The famous Golconda diamonds include the Koh-i-Noor, Darya-e-Nur and the Hope diamond.
“The legendary Beau Sancy is a truly magical stone that has entranced generations of royal owners and continues to exert a powerful influence over all who see it. Its supreme historical importance was reflected tonight in the strength of the bidding and the remarkable result realised,” David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s jewellery department in Europe and the Middle East and co-chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland said on Tuesday night.
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