The BVLGARI Blue

354 The BVLGARI Blue

!:J of A
Private CO
l/ector
355
356 The BVLGARI Blue
AN INTRODUCTION
Along the spectrum of all colored diamonds, few fancy colors take pole
position for their celebrity and rarity: reds, pinks, greens, and of course, blues.
Few other colors can stand equal to the phenomenon of a fancy vivid blue. The
color blue is rarely seen in diamonds, and when it does occur, it is generally a
faint blue and just a few examples display a more intense color. Blue diamonds
are structurally the purest of all diamonds, with barely any impurities within
their crystal lattice. Most have a trace of the element boron which in addition
to their blue color gives them semi-conducting properties; they account for less
than one percent of all diamonds mined.
Amongst the infinitesimal percentage of blue colors amongst diamonds is
counted all stones with an overriding blue body color, no matter where on the
grading scale from faint through to vivid blue, and including any stones with a
gray color modifier. Gray is a conUTIon modifier in blue diamonds, and can
detract from the value compared with a "straight" fancy color grade. Although
still desirable, a Lmcy grayish blue is still far outclassed by a pure fancy blue.
Furthermore, the rarity and value of a L'mcy colored diamond rises
exponentially depending on its position on the scale of color saturation.
Starting with faint , through to light, fancy light, fancy dark and L'lncy deep to
describe the depth of the stone's intensity, the extreme grades of fancy intense
and finally fancy vivid reach the heights of a diamond's intensity of color
saturation. The BVLGARI Blue, a fancy vivid blue diamond of 10.95 carats, is
an exceptional example of the esteemed blue diamond pedigree.
Propert8 of A Private Col lector 357
THE FORMATION
Blue diamonds are geologically so rare that their production has been almost
entirely regulated to one deposit in the world: that of Premier or Cullinan mine
in South Mrica.
Many of the world's most spectacular, and largest, diamonds have been
recovered at the Cullinan, the most famous being the 3 , 106 carat Cullinan
Diamond. Discovered early in the mine's history, in 1905, the Cullinan
Diamond still holds the record as the largest gem quality rough ever found. The
discovery of this particular diamond played an important role in the early
reputation of Premier, as it produced the 530 carat Cullinan I, or Great Star of
Africa, and the 317 Cullinan II , or Lesser Star Of Africa, both of which were
set in the British Crown Jewels. Cullinan I also held the record of the Jubilee
Diamond, cut to 545 carats, was discovered in 1985 another famous Premier Stone.
The mine is renowned, however, not only as a source of important sizeable
diamonds, but also as the world's only significant locality of blue diamonds
Although the blue diamonds only account for 0.1 percent of those originating
from the Premier mine, a seemingly negligible figure, a rough estimate of
global blue diamond production would be less than 0.0001 percent and by
some rough accounts, only one stone out of every 200,000 rough diamonds mined.
As early as 1908 , the world's second largest dark blue diamond was discovered
in Premier, cut to a beautiful heart shape weighing 30. 62 carats from 120 carats
of rough. Today, the Blue Heart resides in the Smithsonian Institute in
Washington, together with the Hope. More recently, the reputation of the mine
358 The BVLGARI Blue
for producing some of the worlds most
fabulous blue gems was affirmed 'with the
incomparable cache of 11 blues, ranging
fi.-om 5.16 carats to the 27.64 carat Heart
of Eternity, unveiled by De Beers in
the 2000 as part of the De Beers
Millennium Collection.
Yet production, specifically of
blue diamonds, is said to be
slowing. While pink and yellow
diamonds, for example, are
steadily being recovered from well
known deposits, the discovery of blue material, on the other hand, is said to be
on the decrease. The obvious conclusion, and consideration for the longer term
market, is that that these wonders of nature are becoming even more and more
rare.
Historically, the earliest and most legendary diamond 'mines' were the alluvial
gravels in the banks or beds of rivers in India, known as early as 800 BC The
French explorer and gem dealer Jean Batiste Tavernier visited a number of the
Indian Mines between 1639 and 1668, recording the most important surviving
geographical, geological and sociological account of early mining and dealing
practices. The most UTIOUS workings were at the Kollur mine in the kingdom
of Golconda, now part of the State of Hyderabad, celebrated for producing fme
large whites of a special 'water' and the earliest known pink and blues. The
GolconcL'l mines Great Moghul, as well as the pink Dara-Nur, and most
importantly, the Tavernier Blue. Given the relatively late discovery of
alternative blue diamond sources, nearly all 'historic' blues are assumed to be of
Indian origin. However, expecting sporadic exploitation, the mines were
effectively conunercially worked out by nineteenth century, leaving true
GolconcL'l diamonds with a legendary label and the production of blues scant
and scare until the new Afiican deposit would take over.
Aside from the Premier mine, other mining localities have been known for blue
production, although infinitesimal by comparison. A limited number of blues
have recently surfaced from the Argyle mine in Western Australia., known far
better as the world's largest producer of pink and red diamonds. When the
occasional blue diamond slllfaces at the Argyle Mine, it is, unusually, of the
same classification as the pinks and browns: Type la, where the color is caused
by an overabundance of hydrogen atoms, as opposed to the boron-colored
Type lIb stones.
Propert8 of A Private Col lector 359
A HISTORY
Important blue diamonds are in noble company with some of the world's most
Lunous, even infamous, diamonds having a blue body color, and possibly
ranking highest among other colored diamonds in importance and intrigue.
Arguably the most famous blue diamond of all time, and perhaps the most
L'unous diamond of any color, is the legendary Hope Diamond. Although not
the largest recorded in existence, it is the largest whose whereabouts is
currently publicly known. The incredible 45.52 carat fancy dark grayish-blue
gem is notorious not only for it marvelous size and color, but also for the curse
said to hang over all who owned or wore it. The unproven story was certainly
woven well by Pierre Cartier in 1911 as a sale strategy to entice the young
Evalyn Walsh MacClean, American socialite and wife of the heir to the
Washington Post fortLme into buying such an enigmatic jewel. Yet another
fabled, and far more consequential account behind the Hope was recently
proven to be true in 200S: a team of researchers, gemologists and cutters from
the Smithsonian Institute were able to verify the long-standing rumor that the
hope was cut from Diamond of the Crown, otherwise known as the French
Blue, which in turn was refashioned from the Tavernier Blue.
At some point during the mid- 17th century, the renowned French explorer
and merchant Jean Baptiste Tavernier during his [mal voyage to India, was
offered a large steely blue gem. Weighing 112 3116 Florentine Carats (110.5
metric carats), it was said to have been stolen frOITI the eye of an idol. The dark
blue diamond was taken by Tavernier back to France where he sold it in 1669,
together with a collection of his [mest purchases, to King Louis XIV Four years
later the Sun King had the stone re- cut into a heart-shape weighing the
equivalent of 69.03 metric carats, and as one of the Crown Jewels of France, it
became known as the 'Blue Diamond of the Crown'. It passed through the
hands of successive kings until September 1972, when it was among the jewels
stolen from the Garde Meuble during the French Revolution. The diamond
appears to have re-surfaced exactly twenty years later, again re-cut in the
accounts of a London diamond dealer, and was at one point rumored, although
probably inaccurately, to have been acquired by King George IV Finally in
1839, the diamond was once more in the gem catalogue of Hemy Philip Hope,
of the Hope banking family, remaining in the family until 1901. The ' Hope' as
it was known, was resold several times on international market until it passed
through the hand of Pierre Cartier in 1909. Thereafter it would become the
emblem of Evalyn Walsh MacClean, closely tying her fate with its own, until
her death and its sale in 1949 to Harry Winston. Winston donated the historic
stone to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington in 1958 where it still resides
today.
360 The BVLGARI Blue
The Hope is housed together with another rare dark blue diamond, weighing
30.82 carats, and coincidentally also owned by Cartier 1910: the 'Blue Heart'
thereafter passed thorough the owner ship of Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry
Winston, and Majorie Merriweather Post, before finally being donated to the
museum. Other famous blue diamonds have had their histories linked with the
Tavernier Blue over the centuries, believed at some point or another also to have
come from this parent stone.
However, in 2005, the Smithsonian Institute of Research argued that such stones
as the seven carat blue diamond, belonging to the Empress Alexandra
Feodorovna, and given by her daughter in law to the Empress Maria
Feodorovna to the state diamond fund in 1866, could not have been fashioned
from either the Tavernier or French Blue, as no sister stones could have existed
at all.
The Brunswick Duke was another dark blue stone once believed to have come
form the legendary Blue Diamond of the Crown. This eponymous gem
belonged to the eccentric Duke of Brunswick, and was one the very fme
collections of the gem put up for sale in Geneva after the Duke's death in 1873.
The noted London jeweler and gemologist Edwin Streeter had been the first to
suggest an erroneous link to the French Crown Jewels, recording that he
examined the stone personally in 1874. However with no existing record of this
stone today, the Brunswick is one of the blue diamonds to have fallen into the
abyss of truly legendary blue diamonds.
That a number of blue diamonds have enjoyed such colorful histories -
including The BVLGARI Blue- is not simply due to their point of discovery or
the journeys they have made in their fashioned lives. But rather, the rarity of
their blue body color in the first instance has excited the attention of explorers
and shahs, socialites and empresses, and collectors and kings. It has inspired men
and monarchs to seek out such fabulous gems, and to give blues the greatest
reverence within the greatest collection.
Propert8 of A Private Col lector 361
362 The BVLGARI Blue
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Through the years, Christie's has been privileged
to have offered for sale Inany of THE WORLD'S
MOST HISTORIC AND FAMOUS BLUE
DIAMONDS.
1864 - The 70.21 carat Idol's Eye
1931 - The 36.56 carat Wittelsbach
1984 - The 42.92 carat Terestchenko
1995 - The 13.78 carat Beguln Blue
2008 - The 13.39 carat fancy intense blue
2008 - The 36.56 carat Wittelsbach
(now known as The Wittelsbach-Graff)
2010 - The BVLGARI Blue, set with the Fancy
Vivid Blue dialnond of 10.95 carats
364 The BVLGARI Blue
PropertlJ of A Private Col lector 365
IN THE SALEROOM
Christie's has been privileged to have handled and sold some of the worlds
greatest blues: several which should be listed as historic blues, and some which
have appeared in more recent times, but which have, although young, already
taken their place in the Blue Hall of Fame.
One of the earliest historic blue diamonds to have appeared for sale at Christie's
was the Idol's Eye, a stone sharing a common myth with the Hope, having been
rumored to have once been stolen from the eye of an Indian Idol. Its fIrst
authenticated appearance, however, was on 14 July 1865 in the saleroom of
Christie's London, where the catalogue described a 'splendid large diamond
known as the Idol's Eye set round with 18 smaller brilliant and framework of
small brilliants'. The 70.21 carat bluish Golconda stone passed in to ownership
of 34th Ottoman Sultan, Abd al-Hamid II, who would be deposed from his
autocratic position in 1909. In an attempt to dispatch his jewels to safety, the
Idol's Eye was stolen by the servant entrusted with it, soon reappearing at
auction in June 1909, but this time in Paris. Purchased by a Spanish nobleman,
the Idol's Eye rested in a London bank until after the end of the Second World
War. Harry Winston acquired the diamond in 1946, selling if the following year
to Mrs. May BonfIls Stanton, the daughter of the co-founder of the Washington
Post and avid jewelry collector. After her death in 1962, the Idol's Eye was sold
366 The BVLGARI Blue
at auction once more, in 1967, and by 1979, the diamond was in the possession
of Laurence Graff. The ensuing sale conducted by Mr. Graff together with two
other large and names stones, is thought to be one of the most important
diamond deals in history.
Also of Indian Origin, and like the Tavernier Blue once suggested to have been
part the French Blue, the Wittelsbach is a historic diamond fortLmate to have
avoided the doom of latter-day obscurity. From the seventeenth century, this
dark blue 35.50 carat gem mostly led a quiet, if imperial, life. Through the
Spanish Royal Family, via King Philip IV and his daughter, then the Austrian
Royal Family, via Emperor Leopold I and his daughter, the diamond fmally
made its way into the ruling House of Bavaria, becoming the family diamonds
to the Wittlesbachs. The diamonds remained in royal family for the following
two centuries until a decision was made to alleviate the hardship of family
descendants by auctioning certain of the Bravian Crown Jewels by Christie's in
Propert8 of A Privote Col lector 367
London in 1931. Following the auction, the diamond was neither seen nor
heard of again, until an unnamed large blue diamond was placed on the display
at the World Exhibition in Brussels. A skilled cutter in the Belgian diamond
industry, Joseph Komkomrner, fortuitously identified the diamond as the lost
Wittelsbach and so saved its story for prosperity.
The largest blue diamond ever to have appeared at auction is the incredible
42.92 carat pear shaped Terestchenko diamond. Ranking as the fourth largest
f.mcy blue on record, it follows only the unnamed brilliant-cut weighing 51. 84
carats, the 45.85 carat Copenhagen Blue, and the 45.52 carat Hope. The
original owners of the diamond, the Terestchenko Family, were wealthy pre-
revolution sugar magnates, who had the gem mounted in an incredible multi-
colored diamond necklace by Cartier in 1913 reputed to be one the most
extravagant and beautiful fancy colored diamond jewels of the twentieth
century. Following seven decades of elusive silence, the diamond, reappeared to
great excitement in 1984 when Christie's announced the auction of the
Terestchenko in Geneva in 1984. With a shout of ' Ten million Swiss francs' the
hammer was bought down to Mr. Robert Mouawad, setting a new world record
price at the time for a blue diamond, and indeed for a diamond of any color.
Several newer blues have recently won the world reception not only through
their rear quality, but also with the Graff name. Leading the 6.07 carat Graff
Blue Heart and the 39.31 carat Graff Imperial Blue, is the original 6.19 carat
Graff Blue. Sold in 15 November 1990 at Christie's in supporting what would
become the Graff Orange, this beautiful dark blue circular-cut diamond would
be recorded and remembered ever after.
When the jewelry collection of her Highness Princess Salimah Aga Khan came
under the hammer of Geneva on 13th November 1995, it hit the headlines as
most important comprehensive and magnificent single owner jewelry collection
to have appeared at auction since jewels of the Duchess of Windsor were sold
in 1987- The 13.78 carat fancy deep blue heart-shaped diamond known as the
Begum Blue, mounted together with a D color, internally flawless heart-shaped
diamond of 16.03 carats, was undoubtedly the star of the show.
However, of the important historic blue diamonds mentioned above, many are
deep or dark blue color and some even with a touch of grey; only a few could
be described as intense sky blue. In this fancy intense blue range, diamonds of
even five or six carats are seldom seen in the salesroom, and those of over ten
carats are virtually unheard of. Given the current market and the increasing
rarity of blue diamonds, the appearance of such a gem at auction today,
The BVLGARI Blue, is certain to take its place amongst other world class
,mous blue diamonds.
368 The BVLGARI Blue
Propert8 of A Private Col lector
Sotirio. Boulgari. (born ,857), a .ilversmith from mainland Greece (Epitu.) emigrate. to the i.land of Corfu with hi. fathet Georgi
They open a small workshop there, where they sell items such as necklaces, braeelees, buckles and heles, chased salvers, spoons, goblets
and vinaigrettes - aU in silver.
Satirias leaves Corfu, setdes at first in Naples and arrives in Rome, where he begins to sell silver artifacts.
Sotirios opens his fitst shop in Rome on the Via Siltina, at the top of the Spanish Steps. In addition to his own pieces, Sotirio coUected
and sold important antique European silverware, such as large and richly embos",d trays, ladles, spoons and mirrors.
Sotirio< marries Elena, and they have two son. Con.tmtino (1888) and Giorgio (1890).
Sotirios opens a second and larger shop in Rome, at number 10 via Condotti, on the ground Boor of Ibe Palazzo Lepri.
This location remains to this day Bulgan'. flagship store.
C0DU11ercial success leads Sotirios Boulgaris to open additional stores, some in prestigious resort areas including St. Moritz-Bad and Lucerne.
He also chose to change his name to SOTIRIO BULGARI to Rom:mize it.
During Ibis decade Ibe core business begins to shift from silver to jewelry and fine antiques. The jewelry designs wete largely inBuenced
by the Parisian jewelry trends of the tinse.
Sotirio dies and the direction of the company is taken over by his two sons Giorgio and Constantino.
The Via dei Condotti .hop i. lavishly refumuhed, and the display. the inscription 'BVLGARI" emulating ancient Roman epigraphy.
Bulgari'. reputation as a fine jeweller i. well ettabli,hed attracting a prominent Italian as well as foreign clientele. Bulgari design. the
TROMBINO ring in the 1930s, and it quickly becomes one of their most successful ring designs. During the 1940'S, Bulgari begins
using the so-called tubogas (gas-pipe) technique, which is later revived in the 1970'S. It is employed so effi:ctively in the creation of
certain necklaces and that it becomes one of the finn's trademarks. The Bulgari TUBOGAS is a flexible band
with sleek, rounded contours produced without soldering. Around the same time, Bulgari watches began to gain momentum.
The TUBOGAS technique is incorpoI'3.ted to make the watches flexible enough to wrap around the wrist, thus resembling a serpent.
Bulgari, always conscious of its heritage, drew the inspiration from tradition: the serpent has been used in jewelry as a symbol of
knowledge and eternity since the Hellenistic times. These soon became a best-seller. In 1946, Anna Magnani became the fitst known
actress to wear BVLGARI jewels in a movie, IL BANDITO.
AIlbough still inspired by the French style ofjeweUety, Bulgan created spectacular jewels known as en tremblant unique brooches
where the gems are mounted on sprinS" so they tremble/Bicker, as if the wind were blowing them. Later in the decade, Bulgari becomes
the first jeweler to prominently position polished cabochon-cut stones (considered second-rate gems by more traditional jewelers),
thereby creating jewels with a great sense of bold and smoolb volume. This develops into one of Ibeir most popular characteristics for
decades to foUow. Bulgari also developed striking color combinations in Ibe 195OS: they used striking color combinations of different
gemstones that were chosen (and combined) for their chromatic effect (as opposed to being chosen for their value) . This was very
unconventional at me time.
In 1965, the direction of the company passes to Bulgari 's third generation, Gi anni , Paolo and N icola. Bulgari add variations of the
TUBOGAS coiled "serpent" bracelet-watch that are made with polychrome ename l. They als o add variations that are devoid
of head and t ail, and fearure W1concealed di als. These become another trademark of the decade. Bulgari begins mounting ancient coins
in jewelry, resll ming a tradition they starred in the 1930s. To Bulgari these coins are relics of the past. and an overt reference to their
Hellenic and Ro man histories. Ever since, the use of ancient coins has remained a constant element of Bulg2ri design.
The 1960's are the Golden Age of Cinecitta, the infamous movie studio located in Rome. Producers and Directors travel from all over
to shoot there, and naturally they bring the movie stars with them. Suddenly Rome is synonymous with La Dolce Vi ta, and Bulgari
becomes the destination for all famous movie stars in Rome. Sophia Loren, Claudia Cardinale, Monica Vitti, Grace Kelly, Gary Cooper,
Marlene Dietrich, Roberto Ro",ellini, Tony Curtis, Ursula Andress, Merle Oberon, Virna Lisi and Audrey Hepburn are all regulars
at the via dei Condotti store. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton become particularly great patrons of Bulgari. They meet on the set
of Cleopatra, and begin their notorious love affuir during the filming. In 1962, Burton gives Taylor a spectacular emerald and diamond
Bulgari brooch when he asks h er to marry bin1; later he gives h er the matching necklace (she could attach the brooch to this as a pendent),
and a bracelet. This set of jewels becomes known as the "Grand Duchess Valdimi r" suite by the paparazzi, who follow and
photograph Taylor weari ng them al1 over the world.
The 19']Os mark the beginning of Bulgari's international exponsion. They opened new stores in New York, Geneva, Monte Carlo and Paris.
In addition t he BVLGARI style tbar hegan developing in previous decades i. now iconic: Bulgari creates .pectacular jewels that are
instantly recognizable aU over the world, including bold collars in yeUow gold with antique coins, thick yellow gold gourmette chains
with cabochon stones and eliptical matus, vibrant combinations of color and stones. In 1975, BVLGARI creates their first watch col1ection,
called BVLGARI-BVLGARJ. l11i. marla the first time the BVLGARI logo (with roots in Roman epippphy) i. used as a decorative motif.
* Although Bulgari had heen selling watches since the 193os, they had never been fuUy producing them.
Throughout this decade Bulgari is the first jeweler to sUCCesSfil11y develop modular jewelry. The fllSt of these modular lines is
uParentesi " one of the most copied desi gns of the 20t h century. Bulg2ri also launches a jewelry collection thatj lLxtaposes precious jewels
with unprecious materials, such as silk corck. Bulgari capitalizes on the use of their trademark logo as a design motif and marketing tool,
all the while subconsciously reminding customers of dleir Greco-Ro man heritage. All three concepts are quickly celebrated world\vide,
and gain immediate recognition with the BVLGARI name, est ablished Bulgari as the undis puted. leader in jewelry design during this era.
Andy Warhol Slated: " I believe your jewels are the 198os, and everyone is trying to copy this look."
In 1984, Gi orgio's sons - Paolo and Nicola Bulgari - become (respectively) Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the compony.
Their nephew, Francesco Trapani. becomes the Chief Execut ive Officer. All three enthusiastically proceed with expansion efforts
by centralizing the company. Bulgari T ime is created in the early 1980; in Switzerland, to manage the creat ion and production of all
BVLGARI watches. In 1989, Bulgari enlists Gerard Perregaux Manufacture to initiate a proce", of con, tlnt technolOgical improvement ,
quality and .ophistication of Bulgari timepieces.
During the 199os, BVLGARI expands the compony even more, with more than 100 stores worldwide. By the end of the decade
the product selection include. jewels, perfumes, . ilk eyewear and leather good . In 1995, Bulgari S.p.A. is listed on the
Milan Stock Exchange. That same year, Sharon Stone is famously showered with BVLGARI jewels in Martin Scorcese's fllm Casino.
By the dawn of the new millennium, BVLGARI begins vertical integration efforts to build closer relationships ....vith suppliers and manufacturers,
including
I . A pannership with the Leviev Group to supply their diamonds
2. A 50% stake in C rova (the Italian leader in the production of high-end jewelry)
3. Sole ownership of Daniel Roth, Gerald Genu and Manufacture de HaUle Hodogeri e (DRGG produce high-end Swiss watches,
and MHH is the owner of thei r product ion pl ants), Cadrans Design (producing complicated dials) , Prestige d' Or
(producing steel and gold watch bracelets), and Finger (producing and ... embling cases) .
4 . A new Artistic Director to improve the quality and design of the accessories, and Italian com pany Pacini
(specialized in the production of leather, precious hides and custom- made fabric handbags).
As a result , by the middle of the decade Bulgan is able to produce the highest quality watches three in-house
Tourbillon movements). the most exquisite and perfect quality jewels (including a necklace of over 440 emerald, cushi on and
brilli ant cut diamonds) and top quality accessories. The fi rst BVLGARI Hotel opens in Milan in 2004, foll owed by a second
in Bali in 2007. By now they have 250 stores worldwide, including stores in Rome, Paris, London, N ew York, Beverl y Hills,
Hong Kong, Tokyo and Osaka. They open the iconic Fifth Avenue store after a highly anticipated renovation, making it the largest
Bulgari store in the U. S. In 2006 actre$ Keira Knightley causes an international sensation when she wears vintage BVLGARI jewels
to the Academy Awards . The next year they launch BVLGARI ski neare.
In 2009 the company cdebrated their rich 125 year heritage with its fllSt ever retrospective exhibition in Rome. They also vowed
to raise c;: 10 million for Save the Children'. Rewrite the Future campaign, which aims to provide quality education to children
living in conflict affected areas all over the world. By the end of the decade, aU of the company's products remain true to the BVLGARI
vision and legacy chat the family has passed down. Although BVLGARI products continue to grow and progre", to compliment timely
trend. and .tyle., they aU display an obvious devotion to the iconic BVLGARI characteristic< paying tribute to the fimily'.
Greco-Roman heritage; innovative and daring combination of color, stones and materials; celebrating the tradition of design motifs
including ancient coins, the serpent and Roman epigraphy; top quality and expert production; and unmistakable bold Italian design.
In a la ndmark sale, Christie's proudly offers for dl e first time in 40 years, The BVLGARI Blue, an extraodinary two-stone ring set
with a triangular-cut colorless diamond of9.87 carats and an except ional triangular-c ut fancy vivid blue diamo nd of 10.95 carats,
orginally purchased by the current owners at Bulgari on the vi a Condotti in 1972.
THE ROMANCE OF BVLGARI
The BVLGARI Blue is being offered at auction by a private European
collector who has kept the ring in his family for almost 40 years. According to
family tradition, the ring was given as a gift from the collector to his wife in
celebration of the birth of their baby boy. Charmed by the ring's bold
geometric setting and the symbolism of its rare blue diamond, the collector
worked with legendary Bulgari salesman Carlo Tronconi - a favorite of
Europe's most fashionable and discerning clients - at the jeweler's flagship
boutique on Via dei Condotti in Rome to purchase this special ring for his wife.
The final sale price in 1972 was about $1 million US, a fortune at the time.
Propert8 of A Private Col lector 373
@ BVLGARI Archives
As one of the world's preeminent jewelry houses , BVLGARI holds a place in
history as a paragon of superb craftsmanship and style, spanning over more than
a century. In 1879, Sotirio Bulgari moved to Rome where he opened his flrst
shop in the Via Sistina, and in 1905, he transferred to the Via dei Condotti.
Upon his death in 1932, his sons Giorgio and Constantino took command of
the business and are credited with developing the distinctive BVLGARI style,
inspired by Greek and Roman classicism, the Italian Renaissance and the 19th
century Roman school of goldsmiths. Generation after generation, the Bulgari
'uuily has maintained the integrity of the classical Roman aesthetic, in keeping
with the design principles upon which the House was founded; characterized
by elegant simplicity, BVLGARI designs recall the grandeur of classical design.
The 1970S marked the House's international expansion, and to this day, the
most fashionable women around the globe count BVLGARI as a favorite source
of exquisite jewels, often incorporating highly rare gemstones and important
colored diamonds. The contrast of pairing unlikely hues creates a striking
visual effect, exemplifled by the stunning design of The BVLGARI Blue, set
with an exceptional pairing of a fancy vivid blue and colourless diamond.
Universal in scope yet unique in aesthetic, BVLGARI jewels resonate as
modern artifacts of the most elegant style.
374 The BVLGARI Blue
Artful and innovative, BVLGARI creations featLlTe the very finest and most
prestigious gemstones in the world. On October 20th, Christie's is honored to
present The BVLGARI Blue, designed as a two-stone ring set with a
modified triangular-cut diamond of 9.87 carats and an extraordinary modified
triangular-cut fancy vivid blue diamond of 10.95 carats. Diamonds owe their
color to the presence of trace elements, and when a diamond comes in contact
'with the element boron dLlTing its creation, it may exhibit the highly sought-
after and extraordinary color blue. This specific set of formation conditions
does not occur frequently, and when a colored diamond does form, a size of
more than ten carats is incredibly rare. A combination of two exceptional
diamonds and prestigious design enSLlTes that The BVLGARI Blue, dazzling
and highly important, will make history as one of the most important colored
diamond jewels to ever be offered at auction.
Propert8 of A Privote Col lector 375
GIA
GEMOLOGICAL Of J\Mflll(:: ...
DIAMOND GRADI NG REPORT
May 19, 20i O
Shape and Cutting Style ..... ..... Roundi Cornered
Triangular Modified Brilliant
Measurements ..... .... . 13.76.x 18.71 x 6.80 mm
Carat Weight ............. ........... ..... ... .... . 9.87 carat
Color Grade ...................... " .. .... .. ..... .. ........... . G
Clarity .................................. ,., .. . , .... VS1
Finish
Polish ... .......... ....... ........ " .. .......... Very Good
Symme1ry ... +o .: .... .... .. ....... ............... .. .. . Good
Fluorescence ......... .... . .. .. .. .... ...................... None
'Comments:
Crowri angleS lie less lI1an 26 degrees.
Key TO SYM80LS
'- Fe-atha!
" Natural
thin
thick
(facetedl
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d1mctDtJa (bIlllilbis}. lillii'D b .. alPUXmm I!J1I8l8IItiiDn Df !he ibmnd, WId I)IIJbob
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81A 61A
COLOR Cu,Rm
SCALE SCALE
iii
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C


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Dr1l!l1 Car1;bad, 920064602
1': 7BO-1i03-4500 I F: 7606031814
BIA Labmlllrlil
Bangkok Carl sbad
Joh,lIl11l1sburg Mumbal

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Propertt) of A Private Col lector 377
GIA
GEMOLOql CAL INSTlTlJTE OF AMERICA
COLOR Ell 0 AMOND GRADING REPORT
May 1 Q
r
2010
Shape and Cutting Styfe .... ........ Round Comer,ed
Modified Brilliant
Measurements ... .... .... .. . j 3.89 x 19.29 x: 7.04 mm
CUlliNG MfSUllS
CllratWeight ......... .... .. H ,. ... ....... .... 1o.i.5 carat
Color
Origin ..... ... .. h ... .. . .. ......... . . .. . . .. NATURAL
... .............. ..... ......... .. FANCY VIVID
..... .. .... .. , ................ ... _ ... ..... ... BLUE
Distribution ............... .................... ... .... Even
OarityGrade ....... ..... ....... ...... ....... ............... VS2
IDld' lCiUl IhIDRU/. IIOK
Finish
Polis!! ............. ...... ..... ........ .. . _ .. .... ......... Good
Symmetry .......... ...... ..... ..... ..... ... ....... ..... Good
....................... .. ..... .. ............. NOrle
CommenlB:
None'
OlhGRA!j$
KEYTO SYMBOI.S
"\. FealMr
Cavi ty
" Natural
A. ExfnI Facet
lilin
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IhUll'll bIlcdB tJpt, IIII!lti Dll lllllaptJllllme sl!e of c1!J1ty cilllaciBiIl!iOl. ,lJ1 cl!ltf clllu.:iJ!dlW
mrl ... hi mlllill. Delat! d nllh Be nat ml1tlL
I
GJ

SIA
CtARITY COLORED
I SCAli

SCJIlE
IIJIM.IJS

I\AIIWS
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....... """-
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YS,
vs,
ill
III
10
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to
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Annada OM! I Cat1sbad. CA 92008,4602
I: 760aOH500 I F: 780-S03-1814
SIA LaboratoriN

Johannesbulg Mumbal YOlk

UGlI1tJ1CN1
Hf
........ SlfU
P
!
CIRm
1111 II
1102065113141
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ky I'olilD..,1DiP1
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fnIIII). ru. ...... ., ' __ -*'I UI '-' ord
... ..... iIIpoI
Ii III Ii.awtMi! ..

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Property of A Private Col lector 379
380
The BVLGARI Blue
The BVLGARI Blue
PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR
448
448
The BVLGARI Blue
A TWO-STONE COLORED DIAMOND AND DIAMOND
RING, BY BVLGARI
Set with a triangular-cut fancy vivid blue diamond, weighing approximately 10.95 carats,
and a triangular-cut colorless diamond, weighing approximately 9.87 carats,
to the baguette-cut diamond half-hoop, mounted in gold,
arca 1972, ill all origillal BVLGARI black silk box
By BVLGARI
Accompallied by a hardboulld trva-llolullle 11I01l0gmplrjrom tire Gemological Institute oj America,
jeaturillg additiollal plrotograplry, data collectioll clrarts alrd gemological research,
attestillg to the rarity alld prestige if Tir e BVLGARI Bille
Estimate on Request
END OF SALE
Propert8 of A Private Col lector 381