Cartier Emerald Brooch Sets Record with $8.85 Million Sale at Christie’s Geneva Auction
An extraordinary Cartier brooch with a 37.41-carat emerald set a record at Christie’s Geneva, selling for $8.85 million. Originally commissioned by Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, this historic piece, adorned with marquise diamonds, underscores the high demand for rare emeralds in luxury auctions.
A remarkable 37-carat emerald, crafted into a brooch by Cartier for Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, was auctioned at Christie’s in Geneva this Tuesday, fetching $8.85 million. This record-setting price underscores the rarity and unmatched allure of this exquisite gemstone.
The stunning brooch, set with 20 marquise-cut diamonds, was originally commissioned by the Aga Khan in 1960 as a gift for his then-wife, Nina Dyer. The sale outshines a previous high-profile auction of a Bulgari jewel, gifted to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton, which sold for a lower price in 2011. Like that iconic piece, the Cartier brooch can also be worn as a pendant, providing the owner with a versatile option for displaying such a magnificent gem.
This emerald stands out not only for its substantial size but also for its purity and uniformity of colour, which Max Fawcett, head of jewellery at Christie’s in Geneva, describes as “ideal.” Unlike many flat-cut emeralds that lose colour at the centre, this stone showcases a rich, evenly distributed green hue. According to Fawcett, an emerald of this calibre is a rare treasure, appearing on the market only once every five to six years.
Having passed through the hands of celebrated jewellers such as Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston, this exceptional brooch now joins the ranks of iconic pieces that have left a mark on the history of fine jewellery auctions.
