‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu Dhabi

“The Desert Rose” diamond was one of several record-setting lots at Friday’s “high octane” sales in Abu Dhabi, the five-auction grand finale to Sotheby’s inaugural Collectors’ Week in the emirate.

Abu Dhabi—A fancy vivid orangy pink diamond weighing just over 30 carats set an auction record for a diamond of its color grade at Sotheby’s jewelry auction in Abu Dhabi last week.

“The Desert Rose” exceeded its estimate, selling for $8.8 million following an almost 20-minute bidding battle among five collectors, the auction house said.

It was offered in a sale featuring jewelry and watches from a private collection; all the lots found buyers.

Another highlight of the sale was a complete set of Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 pocket watches offered as a single lot.

Making their auction debut, the timepieces sold for $11.9 million, becoming the second-most valuable watch lot ever sold at Sotheby’s.

This Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 complete set features pocket watches made in 18-karat yellow gold, 18-karat white gold, 18-karat pink gold, and platinum. The set sold for more than $11 million at Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi auction.

Created in the year 2000 to mark the turn of the millennium, the Star Caliber 2000 was limited to five sets, each comprising four watches. It is one of the most complicated Patek Philippe watches in the world.

The jewelry and watches auction was one of several sales Sotheby’s held Friday evening at Saadiyat Beach at Abu Dhabi’s The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Real estate, luxury handbags, high-performance bicycles, and cars also were up for auction.  

Together, the five sales totaled $133.4 million.

Sotheby’s said the 180-seat auction area, set atop a custom-built beachfront stage, was filled to capacity, with some guests standing along the perimeter.

The jewelry on offer was modeled on the stage, while several of the automobiles up for auction were driven onto it.

Bidders hailed from 35 countries, with nearly a quarter of buyers from the UAE, Sotheby’s said, adding that nearly a third of participants were under the age of 40. 

The top lot overall was a 1994 McLaren F1, which sold for $25.3 million, a new auction record for a McLaren F1 road car. 

The evening sales served as the grand finale to Sotheby’s inaugural Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi, a four-day run of exhibitions, masterclasses, and panel discussions that marked the auction house’s expansion into the Middle East. 

More than 5,000 guests attended the events throughout the week, the auction house said.

Josh Pullan, global head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division, said the sales surpassed the auction house’s expectations.

“From extraordinary auction results—including multiple records and white-glove sales—to the electric energy in the room, the response has been phenomenal. Abu Dhabi is a dynamic market, with a young, discerning collector base, and we look forward to building on the success of this inaugural Collectors’ Week,” he said.