116ct. Diamond Fetches $6M at Christie's

RAPAPORT... A necklace featuring a 115.83-carat diamond was the top seller at Christie's in New York on Wednesday, bringing in $6.3 million at the live Magnificent Jewels auction.The pear brilliant-cut, F-color, VVS1-clarity diamond hangs from a chain of 31 pear brilliant and pear modified brilliant-cut diamonds ranging from 0.97 to 5.50 carats. The price achieved was within estimates. Total sales at the auction came to $28.1 million, with 83% of lots sold.A pear modified brilliant-cut, fancy-intense-blue, internally flawless, type IIb diamond weighing 7.16 carats also did well, going for $3.9 million, or $538,408 per carat, just over its low estimate.Other notable pieces include a pear brilliant-cut, 25.22-carat, D-color, type IIa diamond ring. The stone, which has VVS2 clarity, but is potentially internally flawless, fetched $2.1 million, or $81,483 per carat, in the middle of its presale valuation. A heart modified, brilliant-cut, 15.20-carat, D-color, internally flawless diamond ring fetched $915,000, toward the upper end of its estimate.Meanwhile, a jadeite, diamond and colored diamond necklace by Anna Hu, estimated at $1 million to $1.5 million, remained unsold.Christie's will hold its Important Jewels sale in London on July 30, while its Jewels Online auction is open through August 7.Image: The 115.83-carat diamond pendant necklace. (Christie's)