A baroque drop-shaped 239.7 grain (60 ct.) natural pearl
sold for $254,500 at Christie’s Dubai Important Jewels sale April 20.

The natural pearl was the largest ever auctioned by
Christie’s and once belonged to Valda Virgina Vaughn Scott, the daughter of an
English diplomat.

“Natural pearls of this size are rarely seen on the jewelry
market and when offered they attract international interest. The buyer is from
the region, a traditional hot spot of the finest natural pearl enthusiasts,”
David Warren, international director of Christie’s Jewellery department and
head of Jewellery Middle East, said in a statement.

A suite of diamond and colored diamond jewelry was the top
sale at $542,500. The Dubai sale garnered over $3.9 million.

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