Christie’s to Auction Historic 23.24-Carat Golconda Blue Diamond at Geneva Sale
Christie’s is set to offer The Golconda Blue—the largest Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond ever to be offered at auction. This 23.24-carat pear-shaped gemstone boasts exceptional color, size, and a rich royal provenance. It will be the centerpiece of Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva on May 14, 2025, with an estimated value between $35 million and $50 million.
A Legacy Rooted in Indian Royalty
The Golconda Blue’s history traces back to the early 20th century, reflecting the opulence of Indian royalty. Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar of Indore, a member of the Holkar dynasty, commissioned the diamond bracelet in 1923, featuring his personal 23-carat pear-shaped blue diamond. This collaboration with Chaumet marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship with the Parisian jeweler.
In 1933, the Maharaja appointed Mauboussin as his official jeweler, leading to the creation of a remarkable necklace that included the Golconda Blue and the Indore Pears, worn by the Maharani of Indore and immortalized in a portrait by Bernard Boutet de Monvel.
A Journey Through Iconic Jewelers
The diamond’s journey continued with renowned jewelers. In 1946, Harry Winston acquired the Indore Pears from the Maharaja and, in 1947, the 23-carat blue diamond. Winston set it in a brooch alongside a matching 23-carat white diamond, which was later sold to the Maharaja of Baroda. The brooch was subsequently reacquired by Winston and resold as a newly designed jewel to its current owner.
A Modern Masterpiece
Over a century later, the legendary blue diamond is set to be auctioned for the first time, now mounted as a striking contemporary ring by the celebrated Parisian designer JAR.
A Rare Gem in the World of Blue Diamonds
The Golconda Blue ranks among the rarest and most important diamonds ever discovered, joining the ranks of other notable blue diamonds like the Oppenheimer Blue. The Oppenheimer Blue, a 14.62-carat vivid blue diamond, set a record when it sold for $50.6 million in May 2016, becoming the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction at that time. Wikipedia
Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewelry, emphasizes the rarity of such noble gems: “Exceptional noble gems of this calibre come to market once in a lifetime.” Christie’s has previously offered other significant Golconda diamonds, including the Archduke Joseph, the Princie, and the Wittelsbach.
The Golconda Legacy
The legacy of Golconda diamonds begins with a reference found in a 4th-century Sanskrit manuscript. In 327 BC, Alexander the Great brought diamonds from India to Europe, sparking the West’s enduring fascination with these rare gems. By 1292 AD, Marco Polo chronicled the captivating beauty of Indian diamonds in his travel writings. Today, The Golconda Blue stands not only as a natural marvel but also as a celebrated jewel—its provenance bridging continents, dynasties, and centuries.
This historic diamond will be showcased at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, with the auction scheduled for May 14, 2025.
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