“The Rock” is a heavy hitter.
A 228-31 carat pear-shaped diamond will headline the Magnificent Jewels sale of auction house Christie’s on May 11.
The diamond named “The Rock” is a rare gemstone mined and polished in South Africa over 20 years ago.
It is the largest white diamond on record to appear for sale in any auction. Currently, it values at approximately between $20 million and $30 million.
Moreover, the Gemmological Institute of America graded the rock as G color, VS1 clarity. It thus comes with a letter from the institute confirming that it is indeed the largest existing D-Z color pear-shaped diamond the laboratory reviewed to date.
“The Rock will join the very best of legendary gemstones that have passed through Christie’s global salerooms since 1766. 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,” Christie’s international head of jewelry Rahul Kadakia said.
Prior to The Rock, the previous record belonged to a 163.41-carat gem also sold at Christie’s Geneva in November 2017 for $33.7 million.
Magnificent Jewels
The diamond debuted at Christie’s Dubai from March 26 to 29.
It will proceed with its tour in Taipei and New York from April 29 to May 1. Then it will make its public display during Christie’s Luxury Week at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva from May 6 to 11.
Other highlights of the Magnificent Jewels auction include a selection of diamonds and colored stones. These include a 19th-century pearl and diamond tiara, a Harry Winston Colombian emerald and diamond necklace, a collection of exceptional jewels by JAR, and a Cartier Art deco diamond bracelet from the 1920s.
Banner Photo via Christie’s