Despite the recent worldwide economic turmoil diamond auctions are as sought after as they ever were and due to this they manage to raise the best funds for charity auctions.
Diamonds are gaining popularity and this truly makes any diamond item worth the highest bid. With charity in mind, people have been raising significant funds for different beneficiaries. Anyone will be amazed at how much money just one auction can get to help a foundation. Generous people have been giving their precious jewels in an effort to auction them for their chosen charity. This makes diamond auctions not only exciting but meaningful as well.
Christie’s recently held a successful charity auction with donated jewelry. It was dubbed as “Jewels For Hope: The Collection of Mrs. Lily Safra.” The most expensive was by Chaumet, the Hope Ruby which was a 32.08 carat diamond ring with a Burmese ruby fetching $6.7 million which set a new world record.
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Eight donated jewels by Jar also sold for a total of $11.4 million. All in all, Christie’s was able to raise more than what they expected with $38 million for 32 charities. At the event, billionaire Lily Safra was given a standing ovation by bidders and buyers. She had thanked them and explained how donating her jewelry, rather than just keeping them in a vault, was probably one of the best things she has ever done. Proceeds from the charity auction will go to 32 organizations around the world. For the full list, you can check this website.
Lily Safra is a billionaire who acquired her wealth from her previous marriages. She had been in Forbe’s list of richest people in the world in 2009. She has been known to support a lot of charities and organizations. While being the chairman of The Edmond J. Safra Foundation, she also supports Red Cross, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson and many others dedicated to humanitarian relief.
Another successful auction for charity was a diamond encrusted motorbike that sold for £109,000. It was designed by Wayne Rooney, the famous England striker. It runs for up to 155mph and was customized with a flash chopper by a well-known Danish manufacturer, Lauge Jensen. The petrol tank is covered and lacquer sealed with one of Wayne Rooney’s player jerseys with his signature. It comes with a lavish 21 black and 1 white diamond encrusted shift rod. The rear fender also has Rooney’s victory goal picture when his team won against Manchester City in 2011. This one of a kind motorbike has gotten more than 101 bids on Ebay before it was sold to an anonymous bidder. The cash will be given to KidsAid charity which helps children who’ve experienced all sorts of traumatic events in their lives. Rooney has expressed his delight with the fund raising project even saying that it is his team’s way to thank Denmark for all their support. He sees the unique bike as a translation of his victory goal which was described as beautiful, powerful, with technical excellence and of the highest quality just as the bike was made. KidsAid has expressed their gratitude and hopes that it will raise more awareness for the cause and the children suffering from any illness.
These events are just some of the efforts of made by generous and praise-worthy people in helping to raise money for different charities around the world. Diamonds have proven to create more interest and notice to the auctions that gets more people to help. With this brilliant idea, charities will be able to get the funding.
