Sotheby’s to sell rare pink diamond in Geneva
LONDON, October 20, 2010 – Sotheby’s sale of Magnificent Jewels to be held in Geneva on November 16 will feature an extremely rare 24.78 carat fancy intense pink emerald-cut diamond last seen on the market some 60 years ago.
The diamond has a pre-sale estimate of $27-38 million.
David Bennett, Chairman, Europe and the Middle East, Sotheby’s International Jewellery Department, said, “It is a great honour to present this 24.78 carat fancy intense pink diamond to an international audience as it is one of the most desirable diamonds ever to come to auction.”
Bennett added, “Its beauty has haunted me since the very first time I set eyes on it some years ago.”
It displays the most perfect pure pink colour, which has been graded ‘fancy intense pink’ by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
In addition, while presently graded as VVS2 clarity, the GIA states that the stone may be
potentially flawless after repolishing.
This sublimely beautiful diamond has been further assessed to be a member of the rare and coveted type IIa classification, which comprises less than 2 percent of all of the world’s gem diamonds.
Pink diamonds have always been prized by collectors and professionals since they were first discovered in the mines of India centuries ago.
The absolute scarcity of fine pink diamonds exceeding 20 carats makes the appearance at auction of this stone a landmark moment in the world of fine gems.
The diamond comes from a private collection and has not appeared on the market since it was purchased some 60 years ago from Harry Winston.
In addition to the pink diamond, the sale will comprise four exceptional step-cut white diamonds, which are all D colour — the finest colour grading for white diamonds.
Among these are signed pieces including: a magnificent diamond ring by Graff, set with a cut-cornered square step-cut diamond weighing 20.16 carats (est. US$2.5-3.5 million); a diamond ring by Harry Winston featuring an emerald-cut diamond weighing 20.18 carats (est. US$1-1.6 million), and a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond ring weighing 16.27 carats (est. US$ 1.2-1.8 million).
This offering will be completed by a spectacular diamond ring which consists of a cut-cornered rectangular step-cut diamond, weighing 18.37 carats and assessed as a type IIa stone, with a flawless purity and excellent polish and symmetry (est. US$ 1,950,000–2,550,000).
Subject to the ever increasing interest in the world of haute joaillerie, coloured diamonds will feature strongly in the sale.
A stunning fancy intense pink diamond ring weighing 4.59 carats is estimated at US$ 1,150,000-2,150,000, while an exceptional fancy vivid yellow heart-shaped diamond ring carries an estimate of US$ 950,000-1,300,000. Weighing 12.16 carats, the stone is internally flawless.
