Blue Diamonds to Lead Sotheby's Auction

RAPAPORT... A blue diamond ring estimated at $9 million to$12 million will go under the hammer at Sotheby's Geneva auction on November 15alongside a roster of rare colored diamonds.The rectangular-cut, 5.04-carat, fancy-vivid-blue piece is oneofthree blue diamonds set to feature at the Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale.The auction will also include earrings containing a 2.61-carat and a 3.06-carat diamond witha presale estimateof $8 million to $10 million. A brilliant-cut, 2.02-carat,fancy-intense-blue, internally flawless diamond valued at $2 million to $3 million rounds out theset.Sotheby's will also offer a cushion-cut,21.19-carat, fancy-light-pink, type IIa diamond estimated at$4.5 million to$6.5 million, and a collection of white diamonds. Those include a pear-shaped,40.18-carat, D-color stone with a presale estimate of $2.5million to $3.5million, and a Harry Winston necklace with nine D-color,internally flawless diamonds valued at $4.8 million to $5.8 million. Colored gemstones and signed jewels by Cartier, Bulgari andVan Cleef & Arpels will also be up for sale.Sotheby's will preview the jewels from November 10 to 14 atthe Mandarin Oriental hotel in Geneva ahead of the auction. Image: The 5.04-carat diamond ring. (Sotheby's)