34-Carat 'Pink Diamond' Made In India Fetches $39 Million

The sale price represents a new record for any jewel sold at Christie’s, surpassing the previous house record of $24.3 million set in 2008 with the sale of the Wittelsbach Diamond.

Among important large diamonds, the Princie possesses all of the most desirable qualities collectors seek in diamonds: large size, desirable shape and polish, exceptional colour and quality, Golconda origins, and a noble history.

First offered at auction in 1960 as ‘Property of a Gentleman’ — later revealed to be the Nizam of Hyderabad himself, Sir Mir Osman Ali Khan — the diamond was purchased by the London branch of Van Cleef & Arpels for a mere 46,000 pounds.

The Nizam was proclaimed as the richest man in the world by Time magazine in 1937.

The diamond’s unique name was bestowed at a party at the firm’s Paris store, where it was christened the “Princie” in honour of the 14-year-old Prince of Baroda, who attended the party with his mother Maharani Sita Devi.

The day-long auction also featured almost 300 jewels, including top-quality coloured and colourless diamonds, rare gemstones, natural pearls and a great selection of signed vintage creations from the best houses.

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