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“The Rock,” a 228.31-carat pear-shaped diamond that will lead Christie’s May’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale on May 11, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Christie’s.)

CHRISTIE’S SALE IN GENEVA ON MAY 11 TO FEATURE
LARGEST WHITE DIAMOND EVER TO APPEAR AT AUCTION

 

The auction house Christie’s has announced that a 228.31-carat pear-shaped diamond will lead the Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale on May 11, 2022, as part of its Christie’s Luxury Week. Called “The Rock,” its pre-sale estimate is between $20 million and $30 million.

This exceptionally rare gemstone was mined and polished in South Africa more than two decades ago, and according to Christie’s is the largest white diamond ever to appear for sale at auction.

“The Rock will join the very best of legendary gemstones which have passed through Christie’s global salerooms since 1766,” said Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewellery. “The market for diamonds is particularly vibrant and we are confident that this sensational gemstone will capture the attention of collectors across the globe this Spring season.”

The Rock is on display at at Christie’s Dubai through March 29. It then will tour Taipei and make in stop in Rockefeller Plaza in New York from April 29 to May 1. Following that, it will be on display to the public during Christie’s Luxury Week at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva from May 6 to 11.

Graded by the Gemmological Institute of America as G colour, VS1 clarity, The Rock is also accompanied by a letter from the GIA stating that it is the largest existing D-Z colour pear-shaped diamond ever graded by the laboratory.

Flawless Star with 45.46 carats

The “Flawless Star,” which at  45.46 carats and a pre-sale estimate of between $4 million and $6 million,  is the highest valued jewel ever to be offered to date in an online-only sale. (Photo courtesy of Christie’s.)

CHRISTIE’S PREVIOUS TOP SALES OF WHITE DIAMONDS

The previous auction record for the largest white diamond was a 163.41-carat gem, which sold at Christie’s Geneva in November 2017 for US$ 33.7 million. The rectangular cut-cornered diamond was set in a diamond and emerald necklace by De Grisogono. The price per carat paid was $ 206,236

Among the large white diamonds sold was the Winston Legacy, a pear-shaped diamond weighing approximately 101.73 carats, which sold Geneva in May 2013 for $26.7 million, or $262,832.

In November 2012, the Archduke Joseph Diamond, a cushion-shaped diamond weighing approximately 76.02 carats. Sol at Christie’s in Geneva for $ 21.5 million, or $282,485 per carat

A heart-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 92.15 carats, which was the centerpiece of the La Légende a diamond and cultured pearl sautoir necklace, by Boehmer et Bassenge, brought in almost $15 million at Christie’s Geneva in May 2017, or $162,659.

The fifth largest white diamond sold by Christie’s to date was a pear-shaped stone weighing approximately 75.97 carats, which was successfully auction in Geneva in May 2014 for $14.5 million, or $190,532 per carat.

LARGEST DIAMOND EVER TO BE SOLD ONLINE

Christie’s is currently conducting an online sale, with bidding online open from March 28 to April 7. The sale includes over 200 lots with more than half of all lots being offered without reserve.

Leading the online sale is The Flawless Star, a round brilliant-cut D-color, flawless diamond of 45.46 carats. With a pre-sale estimate of between $4 million and $6 million, it is the highest valued jewel ever to be offered to date in an online-only sale.

CHRISTIE’S SALE IN GENEVA ON MAY 11 (photo 2)

Diamonds from Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in New York on April 7, 2022, from left to right: the fancy blue diamond ring of 11.63 carats, the 8.82-carat fancy intense purple-pink Fuchsia Rose, and the fancy vivid yellow diamond ring of 15.31 carats. (Photo courtesy of Christie’s.)

On April 13, Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale will take place in New York, and there colored diamonds will be center of attraction. In the spotlight will be the Fuchsia Rose, a fancy intense purple-pink diamond of 8.82 carats, potentially internally flawless. It also has a pre-sale estimate of between $4 million and $6 million.

The sale also features a fancy blue diamond ring of 11.63 carats, VS1 clarity, a fancy vivid yellow diamond ring of 15.31 carats; and a fancy intense pink diamond ring of 2.44 carats.

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