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 Post subject: The Wittelsbach Diamond At Auction
PostPosted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:29 pm 
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I was interested to see that this historic stone will be auctioned at Christie's London next Wednesday - see the lot description.

Like most famous stones, it has an interesting and convoluted history, it had been a part of the Bavarian Crown Jewels sale, also at Christie's, in 1931 - see the Times article.

And it appears that the Bavarian government seems to be weighing the option of bidding on the stone (see this article) which is modestly estimated at £9,000,000.

Anyway, thought some of you may be interested.

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 Post subject: Re: The Wittelsbach Diamond At Auction
PostPosted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:38 am 
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Brad P wrote:
I was interested to see that this historic stone will be auctioned at Christie's London next Wednesday - see the lot description.

Like most famous stones, it has an interesting and convoluted history, it had been a part of the Bavarian Crown Jewels sale, also at Christie's, in 1931 - see the Times article.

And it appears that the Bavarian government seems to be weighing the option of bidding on the stone (see this article) which is modestly estimated at £9,000,000.

Anyway, thought some of you may be interested.


Yep..., it will be real interesting..., especially to see how much this Gem will fetch during these times of economic turmoil...

I think it is one of the most important Gems that showed up for sale in the last decade!!!

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PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:24 am 
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It should be a no-brainer, but.... wasn't there a large blue Briolette listed but not sold at Sotheby's Geneva? (listed along with the Vargas).

I cannot find the listing again - unsold items do not appear in the electronic catalogue, only on paper. Can't remember the details: a larger (10cts or so, perhaps) nicely cut fancy intense blue briolette without any pedigree. Memorable enough by itself, but at the time when I first saw the listing it seemed funny that one auction house got a named blue, and the other a named and a blue for good measure.

At least in 'journalistic' terms, whichever the fate of the Wittelsbach, the comparison might still be interesting: it seems exceedingly unlikely that such a 'pair' of items will be offered publicly again anytime soon to bring up the significance of rare history in (very) plain sight.

Perhaps someone else has better luck locating the full description of the briolette in the meantime.


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:42 am 
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valeria102 wrote:
It should be a no-brainer, but.... wasn't there a large blue Briolette listed but not sold at Sotheby's Geneva? (listed along with the Vargas).

I cannot find the listing again - unsold items do not appear in the electronic catalogue, only on paper. Can't remember the details: a larger (10cts or so, perhaps) nicely cut fancy intense blue briolette without any pedigree. Memorable enough by itself, but at the time when I first saw the listing it seemed funny that one auction house got a named blue, and the other a named and a blue for good measure.

At least in 'journalistic' terms, whichever the fate of the Wittelsbach, the comparison might still be interesting: it seems exceedingly unlikely that such a 'pair' of items will be offered publicly again anytime soon to bring up the significance of rare history in (very) plain sight.

Perhaps someone else has better luck locating the full description of the briolette in the meantime.


Ana..., you mean the 10.48 carat fancy deep blue (FL) briolette which was estimated at 6-9 $Mil?

That stone and the Lesotho I (not Vargas but close;-) a 71.73 carat Emerald cut in the Harry Winston ring are either sold (after the auction) or are still being negotiated. (according to David Bennett).

BUT!!! The Wittelsbach is a completely different subject!

Firstly..., its one of the earliest known "brilliant cuts" in History.
Its a rock of significant size, it can be safely compared to the importance of Hope in almost all aspects..., History, Provenance and rarity!

I would be very surprised if it doesnt sell for "way" over its pre-sale estimate...

I would be even tempted to say..., perhaps double??? :twisted:

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PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:14 pm 
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You make the 10 carat briolette sound puny ....

Hope!? That one was rendered priceless by its current ownership, but the comparison seems very befitting. And the Wittelsbach has its historic cut intact to boot (if such logic holds). A hell of a sale! 8)


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:33 pm 
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Puny?? 8)

Well..., it didnt sell, did it? And thats because I presume is the economic turmoils fault! :wink:

I bet if there was a pair to go it, it would be swallowed..., quick :D .

Hope priceless??? Could very well be..., but I learned in my short life that everything (well..., almost everything) is for sale! Perhaps the Hope not....

Again..., I would be extremely surprised if the W doesnt sell...

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PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:14 pm 
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I completely agree, this one seems recession-proof to be sure. If Sotheby's made a guarantee, then they are probably not overly nervous about this one.

Not sure how history factors into his bidding, but Graff could be interested in this one as well.

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PostPosted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 2:12 am 
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DiaGem wrote:

Hope priceless??? Could very well be..., but I learned in my short life that everything (well..., almost everything) is for sale!


That's just it - no one is about to tear down the Smithsonian. Wonder what they'd hold on to if that ever happened: a grayish blue rock on a pole with a label sounds quite likely. 'Selling Hope' sounds like some kind of sin...


DiaGem wrote:

Well..., it didn't sell, did it? And that's because I presume is the economic turmoils fault! :wink:

I bet if there was a pair to go it...


Have even heard that the crisis is to be blamed for bad weather (global warming and all). Why not a diamond dropping from auction :lol:

Perhaps the color didn't quite match the W :roll:


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PostPosted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:24 pm 
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DiaGem wrote:
The Wittelsbach is a completely different subject!

Firstly..., its one of the earliest known "brilliant cuts" in History.
Its a rock of significant size, it can be safely compared to the importance of Hope in almost all aspects..., History, Provenance and rarity!

I would be very surprised if it doesnt sell for "way" over its pre-sale estimate...

I would be even tempted to say..., perhaps double??? :twisted:


The verdict is out:

$24,262,008 Sold!!! :D

http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_ ... 5397e9ecfc

I salute the purchaser....

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PostPosted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:08 pm 
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As do I! Fantastic.

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PostPosted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:27 pm 
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Brad P wrote:
As do I! Fantastic.


Yep..., Graff's the Man....

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PostPosted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:36 pm 
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Good estimate Diagem.
It really is a beauty.

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PostPosted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:41 pm 
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I think it should be re-cut to get rid of that culet 8) .

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PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:22 am 
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Recutting an historical diamond is a crime punishable by death.


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:38 am 
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Barbra Voltaire wrote:
Recutting an historical diamond is a crime punishable by death.


Our Site admin...SEE HER ROAR!

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