Christie’s Geneva is offering what it says is the world’s largest flawless diamond to ever be offered at auction. The auction house calls the 101.73-carat, pear-shaped D color, type IIA flawless gem “absolute perfection.” It will be the highlight of the May 15 Magnificent Jewels auction at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues. The estimate is available upon request.
“A perfect diamond is the result of the skill and vision of a master cutter who is able to uncover beauty from a rough gem,” said Rahul Kadakia, head of Jewellery, Christie’s Switzerland and Americas. “This diamond is in its scale, quality and rarity one of the most beautiful ‘white’ diamonds Christie’s has ever had the honor of offering for sale.”
The diamond meets every criteria of perfection, according to the auction house. The Gemological Institute of America graded it with the best color, D, and the best clarity. In addition, fewer than 2 percent of the world’s diamond meets the type IIA criteria for transparency and brilliance.
The diamond was carved from a 236-carat rough diamond that was found at the Jwaneng Mine in Botswana, according to the auction house. It took 21 months to polish.
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, the auction house says. Above ten carats this figure decreases dramatically. For a diamond of more than 100 carats …
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