The 31.62-carat Azure Blue diamond sold for more than $8.3 million Christie'sA rare 31.62-carat fancy blue diamond known as the Azure Blue sold for more than $8.3 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction on June 9 in New York.The pear-shaped, modified brilliant-cut diamond, graded Fancy Blue and VVS1 clarity, was billed as the largest fancy blue diamond ever offered at auction. According to the Gemological Institute of America, the gem has the potential to be upgraded to Internally Flawless. Mounted in a platinum ring and surrounded by pink diamonds, it sold within its pre-sale estimate.The Azure Blue was one of two exceptional blue diamonds that led the auction at Christie’s Rockefeller Center. The second, a 5.04-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, realized more than $8.1 million. Although far smaller, its Fancy Vivid Blue color grade—among the most prized in colored diamonds—helped propel its value. The marquise-shaped diamond, graded VVS2 clarity and also carrying the potential for an Internally Flawless designation, was set in a platinum ring with tapered baguette-cut diamonds.A 5.04-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, realized more than $8.1 millionChristie'sThe two blue diamonds were the top lots at Christie’s New York auction that totaled more than $49.6 million, with 100% of the 143 lots sold. By value, the sale totaled 149% sold versus the low estimate. Christie’s noted that the auction saw “robust global participation,” with bidders and buyers coming from Americas (58%), Asia-Pacific (21%), and Europe, Middle East and Africa (21%). “Achieving 100% sold is a powerful testament to the appetite of today’s collectors and to the exceptional, carefully curated assemblage presented in this sale,” said Claibourne Poindexter, Christie’s head of jewelry.Play Puzzles & Games on ForbesColored gemstones performed particularly well, led by a 41.29-carat sapphire ring that sold for more than $2.2 million, nearly three times its high estimate. The octagonal step-cut sapphire, mounted in platinum and flanked by diamonds, attracted intense bidding competition.A 15.49-carat unheated Kashmir sapphire ring realized more than $2.1 millionChristie'sA 15.49-carat unheated Kashmir sapphire ring realized more than $2.1 million, while a platinum and diamond ring by Graff featuring a 30-carat sapphire sold for more than $1.7 million, more than double its high estimate.Jewels from prominent private collections also generated strong results.A David Morris necklace set with alternating Burma rubies and diamonds fetched $889,000Christie'sAmong the highlights from the collection of Bridget Rooney Koch were a pair of platinum and diamond earrings by David Morris featuring Burma rubies, which sold for more than $1.4 million. A David Morris necklace set with alternating Burma rubies and diamonds fetched $889,000, while a pair of platinum, diamond and red spinel earrings by Graff brought $660,400.Platinum, diamond and red spinel earrings by Graff sold for $660,400Christie'sFrom the collection of Lorinda Payson de Roulet, an antique natural pearl and diamond brooch sold for more than $1.2 million, exceeding expectations. A Tiffany & Co. Art Deco platinum ring, dating to about 1925 and centered on a 6.01-carat Colombian emerald, achieved $762,000.“From rare blue diamonds to extraordinary sapphires and rubies, the strength of demand across categories—particularly colored stones—underscores the global enthusiasm for jewels of beauty, rarity and provenance,” Poindexter said.A Tiffany & Co. Art Deco Colombian emerald and diamond platinum ring, circa 1925, achieved $762,000Christie'sOther notable results came from the collection of Joanna Carson. A sapphire and diamond ring sold for $508,000, more than seven times its high estimate; sapphire and diamond pendant earrings brought $457,200; and an emerald and diamond ring realized $368,300, more than five times its high estimate.