Farnese blue diamond, with 300-year royal history, fetches $6.7m

The Farnese Blue diamond, which was passed down through European royal families for 300 years, sold at auction in Geneva on Tuesday for 6.7 million Swiss francs ($6.7 million), beating auctioneers Sotheby’s estimate of 3.5-5.0 million.

The 6.16 carat, dark grey-blue gem from the Golconda diamond mines of India was first given to Elisabeth Farnese, daughter of the Duke of Parma, in 1715 when she married Philip V of Spain.

It was passed down through more than seven generations and, as their descendants married into other European families, it traveled from Spain to France, Italy and Austria.

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Two other jewels went for even higher prices, also eclipsing their estimates.

An oval diamond ring weighing 50.39 carats went for 8.1 million francs, while a round brilliant-cut diamond weighing 51.71 carats sold for 9.26 million francs.