The 100-carat perfect diamond in a classic emerald-cut UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $22.1 MILLION.
AN extraordinary 100-carat perfect diamond in a classic emerald-cut was unveiled at Sotheby’s in London today. The remarkable 100.20-carat, D color, Internally Flawless, Type IIa stone will highlight Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on April 21. It is estimated at US$19-25 million. Diamonds of this exceptional quality are incredibly rare and considered to be “perfect”. Just five comparable quality diamonds over 100 carats have ever been sold at auction.
This particular example is the largest perfect diamond with a classic Emerald cut ever to be offered at auction. The original rough, weighing over 200 carats, was mined by De Beers in Southern Africa. Gary Schuler, Head of Sotheby’s Jewellery Department in New York, said: “The colour is whiter than white. It is free of any internal imperfections and so transparent that I can only compare it to a pool of icy water. It is the first true emerald cut diamond of over 100 carats to be offered at auction – the most classic of cuts, quietly elegant and very contemporary”.
Since 1990, when Sotheby’s sold the first 100 carat perfect diamond at auction, until the most recent example in 2013, the price per carat has increased from $125,000 to $260,000. The low estimate of $19 million on this stone represents a price per carat of $190,000.
UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $22.1 MILLION.