A $20 Million Rare Blue Diamond With a Legendary American Legacy

One will be available for purchase this November in Geneva.

FAIRCHILD ARCHIVE/ PENSKE MEDIA/ COURTESY CHRISTIE'S

Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon, a horticulturist, philanthropist, art collector, and jewelry patron, is frequently mentioned in contemporary discourse. She collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to design the White House Rose Garden, which has recently become a subject of controversy in the news. This design inspired the renowned designer Jean Schlumberger, whose Bird on a Rock pin frequently graces the red carpet, and has come to symbolize a nostalgic notion of understated affluence. Couturier Cristobal Balenciaga designed her blue garden attire, but this knowledge was only accessible to the informed. Is that vibrant bangle adorning her wrist while she is employed at Oak Spring? A Schlumberger enamel bangle for Tiffany & Co, now referred to as the Jackie bangle, was named for the First Lady, to whom she donated many pieces.

Every item from her 2014 collection was sold successfully at Sotheby’s in an event referred to as “the Super Bowl of grande dame auctions.” A blue diamond pendant, highlighted in a New York Times article regarding the historic event for its exceptional hue, dimensions, and anticipated value, ultimately surpassed the estimated price. Two blue diamonds were featured in the auction, believed to have originated as a pair of earrings.

The remarkable blue gemstone, referred to as the Mellon Blue, is available once more. The item will be presented at a live auction at Christie’s Geneva on November 11, with an estimated value of $20-30 million.

The Mellon Blue is an extraordinary, 9.51-carat fancy intense blue, internally flawless pear-shaped diamond. Its flawlessly symmetrical form and deeply saturated color exhibit extraordinary brilliance, establishing it as one of the most significant blue diamonds ever presented at auction,” states Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewelry, to T&C. In the current market, clients always seek esteemed provenance. Bunny Mellon’s legacy as a tastemaker, recognized for designing the White House Rose Garden and selecting exquisite art and jewelry, enhances the appeal of the Mellon Blue by associating it with her refined aesthetic and cultural significance. The vivid hue and remarkable clarity would suffice as noteworthy attributes; nevertheless, the origin, Mellon’s contemporary significance and rightful acclaim, along with its pear shape—the favored silhouette of the era—render the Mellon Blue a gem of its time. Bunny Mellon famously stated, “nothing should be noticed,” however this stone, regardless of its understated setting, is quite challenging to overlook.