The ring garnered a $22 million bid, below its reserve
The Shirley Temple Blue—a 9.54 ct. fancy deep blue diamond ring worn by the Depression-era child star throughout her life—didn’t sell at the Sotheby’s April 19 Magnificent Jewels auction in New York City.
Bidding reportedly reached $22 million, below its reserve price. The auction house’s estimate was $25 million to $35 million.
A Sotheby’s statement said, “The Shirley Temple Blue Diamond is an exceptional stone in quality, rarity, and provenance. It has been an honor to share its story with collectors, connoisseurs and Temple’s loyal fans over the past few months. Unfortunately, tonight wasn’t its night in the sales room, but we remain fully confident that it will find a buyer.”
The ring has VVS2 clarity and is considered potentially internally flawless. The stone (pictured) was sold in its original Art Deco setting.
The child star–turned–diplomat owned the cushion-cut stone until her death in 2014. Her father purchased the ring in 1940, around her 12th birthday, for $7,210.
The auction’s top lot was a 12.45 ct. VS2 fancy purplish-pink diamond ring, which sold for $4.56 million, or $366,426 per carat, to a member of the U.S. trade.
(Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
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