'Ocean Dream' Blue-Green Diamond Sells for Record $17.3 Million at Christie's

The 'Ocean Dream,' a rare 5.5-carat triangular-cut fancy vivid blue-green diamond, sold for over 13.5 million Swiss francs ($17.3 million) at a Christie’s auction in Geneva. This sale established a new world record price for a stone of its kind at auction, significantly exceeding the presale estimate of 7-10 million francs. Discovered in Central Africa during the 1990s, the gem is recognized as the largest known blue-green diamond of its type. The bidding process lasted approximately 20 minutes, reflecting strong interest from collectors, with an unnamed private client securing the purchase. This final price is more than double the $8.5 million the diamond fetched at Christie’s in 2014. The successful sale contrasts with a recent Sotheby’s auction in Geneva, where a 6-carat fancy vivid blue diamond failed to sell despite high estimates. Industry experts note that collectors are increasingly drawn to rare colored diamonds, which constitute a small fraction of global diamond mining. The event highlights the robust market for exceptional gemstones and the competitive landscape among major auction houses in the luxury sector.