Rare Blue-Green 'Ocean Dream' Diamond Sells for Record $17.3 Million

The "Ocean Dream," a rare 5.5-carat triangular-cut fancy vivid blue-green diamond, achieved a record-breaking sale price of $17.3 million at a Christie's auction in Geneva. This final hammer price significantly exceeded the presale estimate of 7-10 million Swiss francs (approximately $9-13 million). Discovered in Central Africa during the 1990s, the gem is billed as the largest known stone of its kind. The auction process lasted approximately twenty minutes, reflecting intense interest from collectors, with an unnamed private client securing the purchase. This result marks more than double the $8.5 million the diamond fetched at Christie's in 2014. Industry experts highlighted the stellar outcome, noting the growing allure of rare colored diamonds among high-net-worth individuals. In contrast, a separate 6-carat fancy vivid blue diamond from South Africa's Cullinan mine failed to sell at a concurrent Sotheby's auction in Geneva, though the auction house expressed confidence in finding a buyer privately. The event underscores the robust market for exceptional colored gems, following previous high-profile sales like the Pink Star and Pink Legacy diamonds.