The Christie’s New York auction of Magnificent Jewels held on 17th April included jewels from the estate of reclusive copper heiress, Huguette Clark, who died last May at age 104. The jewels, which had been stored in a bank vault since the 1940s, had not even been viewed by their owner in over 70 years.

The star of the auction, responsible for over 20% of the auction proceeds, was the 9.0 carat (Huguette) Clark Pink diamond which sold for USD15,762,500, far exceeding its USD6,000,000 – USD8,000,000 estimate. The price was a new auction record for the most valuable pink diamond sold in the United States, equating to just over USD1.75 million per carat!

The pink diamond is a Belle Époque period piece by Dreicer & Co. It is a cushion-cut fancy vivid purplish-pink diamond ring.

The successful bidder was 38 year old Brett Stettner of Stettner Investment Diamonds who plans to name the diamond after himself. “It’s an honor to have a stone with such a provenance. I’m out for perfection,” said Stettner, adding, “The diamond will speak to me. Right now it says, ‘I’m gorgeous, make me better.’”

Other than USD34 million, proceeds of Clark’s estate, valued at over USD400 million, were bequeathed to charity.

And the Records Continue to Soar