Performance Overview
Hammer prices for blues at auction have thus been continuously breaking records, to the point of doubling presale estimates. This trend is influencing all categories of blue diamonds, as demonstrated in the graph below, which highlights the fact that all categories are appreciating in a similar manner.
Historic appreciation of blue diamonds to 2020
CAGR Q1 2005 - Q4 2019 | Total Appreciation Q1 2005 - Q4 2019 | |
---|---|---|
Fancy Blue | 7.3% | 187.9% |
Fancy Intense Blue | 8.0% | 217.6% |
Fancy Vivid Blue | 9.3% | 282.2% |
A word on violet diamonds
The Argyle Diamond Mine sporadically yields seldom seen blue and violet diamonds. Violets are particularly enchanting and can make the beholder feel as though they are looking into a pool of lilac.
For every 25 million carats of rough diamonds unearthed from the mine, a single polished blue or violet tender stone is produced. And in the 30 years of Rio Tinto’s Pink Diamond Tender, only 42 diamonds have held a Blue or Violet GIA grading report.