A Cut (& Colour) Above the Rest

With a surge in popularity and demand, coloured gemstones are having a shiny moment—and the world just can't seem to have enough of them

- VAISHALI DAR

A recent high jewellery auction in Geneva, Sotheby's sold a breathtaking 'fancy vivid blue' diamond for a whopping $21.5 million. One of the most valuable jewels sold this year, weighing 10.03 carats, the 'Mediterranean Blue Diamond' was mined last year from the legendary Cullinan mines of South Africa. It soon became the talk of the town for its vibrant colour as well as value.

"It is undoubtedly the defining stone of the season and ranks among the top blue diamonds we have sold," said Quig Bruning, Sotheby's head of jewellery, Americas & EMEA, adding, "The excitement reflects the growing global appetite for rare and impeccable diamonds, and a marked flight to quality among collectors who seek the very best in the world."

With a surge in popularity and demand, coloured gemstones are having a moment, and the world just can't seem to have enough of them. Recently, two high-octane events—Cannes Film Festival and Met Gala—generated quite a buzz for their red carpet collections. At the Cannes Film Festival, Swiss jeweller and watchmaker Chopard showcased the personal universe of its artistic director Caroline Scheufele. Seventy-eight new masterpieces, including necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, and jewellery watches, were part of this collection with a show-stopping choker made from ethical white gold, set with a jaw-dropping 129-carat Colombian emerald cabochon.

Meanwhile, at the Met Gala red carpet, actor Priyanka Chopra wore a 241-carat Bvlgari Magnus emerald necklace, which is part of the brand's new Polychroma collection and is a breathtaking tribute to colour, culture, and craftsmanship. It has 600 exceptional creations, including 250 new high jewellery and high-end watch pieces.