Christie’s International has reported a record-breaking US$426.4 million in global jewellery sales in 2010 – the highest annual total ever achieved for jewellery at the global auction house.
The tally is a 56 per cent increase over Christie’s 2009 total, and beats its previous highest annual jewellery record of US$395 million set in 2007.
Each one of Christie’s major sales regions experienced significant increases last year, with Christie’s Asia topping the list with sales of US$163 million and Christie’s Americas reporting its best ever total of US$130.5 million.
According to François Curiel, Christie’s international head of jewellery this “tremendous leap” in Christie’s results is due to a renewed confidence in the jewellery market, seen all over the world.
He said that with many new buyers in Europe, the US and Asia actively participating at a high level, competition has become more intense than ever for rare jewels and gems of the highest quality.
In particular, collectors from Mainland China have become a formidable force as they bid enthusiastically on many top pieces, displaying a continued passion for jadeite and growing connoisseurship of “Western” jewellery.
“I recall the years when reaching US$200 million, then US$300 million in jewellery sales seemed like insurmountable milestones,” he said.
“Our2010 total moves Christie’s well beyond the US$400 million threshold and onto a whole new level in the global marketplace.”
“In this new climate, where large coloured and colorless diamonds, rare gemstones, and signed jewels are attracting an ever-expanding community of collectors and investors from around the world, our team has again demonstrated the resourcefulness and expertise that makes Christie’s the undisputed leader in the global jewellery market.”
Pictured above is The Perfect Pink, a rectangular-cut Fancy Intense pink diamond ring of 14.23 cts, which sold in November for US$23,165,968 – the most expensive jewel ever sold in Asia and the most expensive piece sold by Christie’s in 2011.