fiogf49gjkf0d
A 19th century, Indian style natural pearl necklace, fashioned into nine rows with 1,888 pearls, once owned by celebrated Egyptian diva Umm Kulthum and presented to her by HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan, the late President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, was sold at the latest Christie’s auction in Dubai on 29 April 2008, for a staggering USD $ 1.39 million, more than 10 times the estimated range. An unidentified bidder paid this astounding amount for this much-coveted bejewelled necklace after a tense battle with a second contender.
The Christie’s auction of jewels and watches at the Godolphin Ballroom at the Emirates Towers Hotel also saw a 41.5 carat diamond ring sold for USD $ 622,000; an emerald and diamond ring for USD $ 712,300 and a white gold dice for USD $ 8,000. Christie’s auction in October 2007 saw sales of jewellery, watches and art peak at USD $ 15.0 million setting 62 world records for sales at a single auction.