Rare 'Ocean Dream' Diamond Sells for Record $17.3 Million at Christie's Geneva Auction

Christie’s auction house achieved a new record by selling the ‘Ocean Dream,’ a rare fancy vivid blue-green diamond, for $17.3 million in Geneva. The 5.5-carat gem, originally discovered in Central Africa in the 1990s as an 11.70-carat rough stone, is certified by the Gemological Institute of America as the largest diamond of its color grade ever recorded. The final sale price significantly exceeded the presale estimate of $8-12 million after approximately 20 minutes of intense bidding, ultimately purchased by an unnamed private collector. This triangular-cut diamond has historical significance, having been featured in the Smithsonian Institution’s ‘Splendor of Diamonds’ exhibition in 2003, where it was recognized as one of the eight rarest diamonds globally. While the specific mine and country of origin remain undisclosed, the stone is identified as originating from Central Africa. This high-profile sale follows other significant African diamond auctions, including Sotheby’s recent sale of the ‘Mediterranean Blue’ for $21.5 million. Max Fawcett, global head of Christie’s Jewelry, highlighted the gem's rare distinction and its return to auction for only the second time in history.