Brexit effect even in the auction houses: the largest uncut diamond in the world (1,109 carats), as well as the second largest ever found, did not find an owner. "Lesedi La Rona" ( "Our Light") was discovered in November 2015 in a Canadian-owned mine in Botswana. As for greatness surpasses only the "Cullinan Diamond" found in 1905 in South Africa: one of the diamonds taken from it joined part of the British crown jewels.
Art Basel has announced it will produce a new report on the annual art market in collaboration with UBS. The author will be Clare McAndrew, the known economist for the report on the art market of TEFAF, which will stop sign. It is unknown if TEFAF will continue to produce a report and who will be the author.
The manufacturer of luxury watches Greubel Forsey, for the first time in its history, is forced to lay off, but the deleted jobs are only five, compared to the ten originally planned. This was stated in an interview with "L’Agefi", co-founder Stephen Forsey society.
"We were 115 and now we have 110," but "our priority is to maintain the continuity." Greubel Forsey produces watches, only cent a year, whose prices range from 200,000 to 1.5 million Swiss francs, made for a high range of collectors.
Still under the spotlight the purchase of luxury items made by Chinese tourists in Switzerland. In fact, even in April they fell purchases, according to the latest statistics issued by Global Blue, a company that handles VAT refunds on the taxed products. On a year, sales actually declined by 7.8%, after a fall of 19.6% in March.
For Switzerland figures relate mainly to sales of watches, the most purchased items from travelers in transit. The phenomenon concerns however over Europe and France is the country most affected, with a drop of 23% in April after -29.3% in March. The main concerns are the concerns about China’s growth, a certain frugality related to anti-corruption campaign and the beginning of April the new import tax.
A pink diamond cut in the shape of pear, the largest of its kind ever sold at auction, was sold yesterday at Sotheby’s in Geneva to 27.3 million francs, rising to 30.8 with the associated costs. The price is relatively low compared to the fork provided by the auction house, which ranged from 28 to 38 million dollars. The buyer was not disclosed.
The 15.38 carat stone, called "Unique Pink", was found in a South African mine. Remains undefeated so the record set by "Graff Pink" in 2011 with 46.2 million dollars, while the total for a diamond is 48.5 million, amount paid earlier this year by Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau for " Blue Moon ", presented to the 7 year old daughter Josephine.
