A pear-shaped, D colour, Type IIA, Flawless, diamond of 101.73 carats. Christie’s Images Ltd., 2013. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $26.7 MILLION US DOLLARS.
ONE of the world’s most perfect diamonds will be sold by Christie’s in Geneva on May 15. The 101.73 carat stone is offered for sale for the first time. The rough diamond of 236 carats was found at the Jwaneng Mine in Botswana and took 21 months to polish. It is one of the largest pear shaped diamonds known to date and is one of the world’s most perfect diamonds. It is a D colour, Type IIA Flawless gem. Christie’s say the estimate for the stone is on request. Outside estimates suggest it could make up to $20 million.
Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewellery, Christie’s Switzerland and Americas said: “This diamond is in its scale, quality, and rarity one of the most beautiful ‘white’ diamonds Christie’s has ever had the honour of offering for sale.’
Out of a total annual worldwide diamond production in excess of 100 million carats, the Gemological Institute of America estimates there are no more than 600 diamond crystals that finish as polished stones between one and two carats and that are D color, flawless clarity. Above ten carats this figure decreases dramatically, at 101.73 carats it is not only an exceptional rarity but a grand event in the world of gems and jewellery.
The successful buyer of this 101.73 carat superb gemstone will have the privilege of establishing his or her own legacy by endowing this extraordinary diamond with a name.
UPDATE: The diamond made $26.7 million US dollars in a sale which saw 20 lots make more than $1 million with buyers from 31 countries across five continents. The diamond was named the Winston Legacy after the new owner.
Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewellery, Christie’s Switzerland and Americas, declared: “Harry Winston acquired the most perfect diamond ever offered for sale at auction, ‘Winston Legacy’, continuing the tradition of buying and selling only the very best, a trait of the founder Mr. Winston himself. World record prices were set for diamonds, pearls and sapphires, thereby firmly establishing the international appetite for the most beautiful gems and jewels in a record-breaking $102 million auction at Christie’s Geneva”.