Rare diamond earrings ‘Apollo and Artemis’ may go for $68M

GENEVA - Sotheby's said Monday it would auction a pair of "phenomenally rare" blue and pink diamond earrings next month that together may fetch up to $68 million.

"The 'Apollo and Artemis Diamonds' will be the stars of our May sale in Geneva -- by far the most important pair of earrings ever offered at auction," David Bennett, worldwide chairman of Sotheby’s international jewelry division, said in a statement.

The earrings comprise two large pear-shaped gems of different hues.

 

The captivating ‘Apollo and Artemis Diamonds’ are the most important #earrings ever to appear at #auction. One Fancy Vivid Blue, one Fancy Intense #Pink, these breath-taking stones enter a class of their own when considered as a pair. Cut into lyrical pear-shapes and named after the most revered and powerful of Olympian deities, their rarity, mesmerising beauty, and distinction is without comparison. They will be offered separately in our Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale in #Geneva this spring. #SothebysJewels #SothebysGeneva #diamond

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Apr 10, 2017 at 3:03am PDT

They will go on the block separately on May 16, the auction house said, adding that the seller wished to remain anonymous.

The 14.54-carat Apollo Blue, which is described by Sotheby's as "the largest Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever to be offered at auction", is estimated to fetch between $38 million and $50 million.

The 16-carat Artemis Pink, with its "Fancy Intense Pink" hue, meanwhile, is expected to rake in $12.5-18 million.

A model poses with a pair of diamond earrings, the 14.54-carat Apollo Blue and the 16-carat Artemis Pink, during a photocall at Sotheby's auction house in London on April 10, 2017, ahead of their auction in Geneva on May 16. The earrings will be offered separately as individual lots. BEN STANSALL/AFP

The diamonds were named after Apollo, the Greek god of music and of the Sun, and Artemis, his twin sister, who was goddess of the hunt and of the Moon.

In Greek and Roman mythology, diamonds were believed to be the tears of the gods. — Agence France-Presse