GENEVA, Nov 12 (Reuters) – The Mellon Blue diamond ring, a vivid blue gem weighing 9.51 carats, has sold for 25 million U.S. dollars at a Christie’s auction in Geneva. The rare piece once belonged to Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, an American philanthropist and close friend of Jacqueline Kennedy.
Exceptional gem sets high standard
Christie’s said the internally flawless, pear-shaped Mellon Blue diamond ring is mounted on a swirling band design. The diamond was originally set as a pendant by Mellon herself. In 2014, it sold for 32.6 million dollars, the year she passed away at the age of 103.
Historic record and comparison
That 2014 sale marked the highest price ever paid for a coloured diamond at the time, according to Christie’s. However, the record was later broken by the “Oppenheimer Blue,” which sold for more than 57 million dollars in Geneva in 2016.
Mellon’s legacy and cultural link
Rachel Mellon, an art collector and horticulturalist, came from a wealthy American family and married into the Mellon banking dynasty. She was admired for her refined taste and passion for landscape design.
Her most famous work was the redesign of the White House Rose Garden during the Kennedy administration. The same garden was later renovated during the Trump presidency, keeping much of Mellon’s original layout intact.
Growing demand for rare gems
Experts say that collector demand for rare coloured diamonds, including the Mellon Blue diamond ring, has remained strong. Such gemstones continue to attract global buyers seeking both luxury and investment value. The Geneva sale again confirmed that blue diamonds remain among the most desirable and valuable gems in the world.
This news was originally published by Reuters.