Diamonds That Rock

William Goldberg, Sotheby's and Christie's find that special stones still sell, despite the financial crisis.Rare colored diamond sales have been solid as a rock in recent months. In fact, the Wittelsbach blue diamond sold for $24.3 million at Christie's in London on Dec. 11, 2008, setting a record price for any diamond or jewel sold at auction. The buyer was billionaire Laurence Graff.

Blue Lili, 30-Carat Trapezoid

Value: $50 million

In 1980, William Goldberg polished down a South African blue diamond. He named the 30-carat trapezoid the Blue Lili for his wife Lili Goldberg.

Guinea Star, 89-Carat Shield

Value: $15 million

In the rough, this diamond weighed 225 carats. The William Goldberg Diamond Corp. acquired it for the highest price ever paid at auction for a rough diamond, making it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Three D flawless diamonds emerged, including the famous 89-carat Guinea Star.

Beluga, 102-Carat Oval

Value: $18 million

The Beluga arrived at the William Goldberg Diamond Corp. as a 265.2-carat rough in 2001. After months of cutting, the largest D flawless oval cut in history was revealed. It is the favorite diamond of Barry Berg, of the William Goldberg Diamond Corp.

Pink Muse, 8.9-Carat Oval

Value: $12 million

This gem arrived at the William Goldberg Diamond Corp. as a 40-carat rough. The stone managed to maintain its rich color after the shaping and became a world-class pink diamond.

Pumpkin, 5.54-Carat Fancy Vivid Orange

Value: $5 million

In 1997, this rare South African diamond was graded as the largest fancy vivid orange diamond and was later sold at Sotheby's for $1.3 million. It is particularly unique because it maintained its light but intense hue through the cutting process.

Premier Rose, 137-Carat Pear

Value: $25 million

In 1978, the rough stone was sawed against the grain at the William Goldberg Diamond Corp. It weighed 354 carats and came from the South Africa Premier Mine. Out of this rough came the Premier Rose D flawless, the little rose 31-carat pear shape and the baby rose two-carat brilliant.

Red Shield, 5.11 Carats

Value: $20 million

In 1998 the William Goldberg Diamond Corp. purchased the rough stone. After polishing it to 5.11 carats, the Red Shield was registered as the biggest red diamond graded by the Gemological Institute of America at the time.

Ashoka Babette Necklace in Platinum

Retail: $3.9 million

In 1998, the Goldberg family introduced its patented Ashoka cut. It's named after a 41-carat D flawless diamond discovered in the Golconda region of Southern India. This 16-1/2 inch Ashoka Babette necklace was created in October 2008.

Detachable Diamond Brooch in Platinum on Alligator Cuff

Retail: $390,000

This piece can be worn as a bracelet or the diamond brooch can be removed from the 18-karat gold cuff and worn separately. Created in March 2008.

Ashoka Evelyn Chandelier Earrings in Platinum

Retail: $780,000

This set was created in February 2007. Eve Goldberg, who is the creative eye behind William Goldberg's newest designs, favors this style.

Fancy Natural Color Pastel Necklace in Platinum

Retail: $4.16 million

This 16¾-inch necklace was created in March 2006. Eve Goldberg says it's not just the cutting that takes time. It can take months to amass the right diamonds for each individual design.

Forbes

A rare 1937 Bugatti sells at auction for £3m

A classic Bugatti car, which gathered dust in a Tyneside garage for half a century, has been sold for 3.4m euros (£3m) at an auction in Paris. Bonhams had listed lot 17403 as a "motoring icon" with an engine that has not been fired up for 50 years. Relatives of reclusive Newcastle doctor Harold Carr found the 1937 Type 57S Atalante in a garage after he died. It was originally owned by Earl Howe - first president of the British Racing Drivers' Club. Just 17 were built.

Bonhams tempted bidders by writing in its sales description: "The new owner will have the pleasure of firing up [engine] 26S and hearing that turbine-like sound that so excited Earl Howe when he collected this car from Sorel in 1937.

"Once again [chassis] 57502, a true supercar with impeccable credentials, emerges to take its place on the world stage."

Earl Howe took delivery of the sporty two-seat Atalante after it was completed in 1937 and kept the car for eight years.

After Earl Howe sold it, it changed hands a couple of times before Dr Carr bought the car in 1955 from Lord Ridley, a member of the Northumberland gentry. Dr Carr drove it until 1960 when he parked it in his garage - to be discovered after he died in 2007.

The car has a remarkably low mileage with an odometer reading of just 26,284. It eventually sold for 3,417,500 euros (£2,989,495). The Bugatti 57S is a highly coveted car by collectors, with at least four thought to belong to the Musee Nationale de L'Automobile in Mulhouse, France.

Others remain in the hands of private collectors.