April 1st, 2013
In honor of April’s birthstone — diamond — we offer you a sneak peek at the 74.79-carat pear-shaped centerpiece of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale that will take place in New York on April 17. Called “the most important white diamond ever to appear at auction in the Americas,” the fabulous jewel is expected to fetch between $9 million and $12 million.
Of the 401 lots to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in April, this potentially internally flawless, D-color diamond has gotten the most attention. Sotheby’s claims the gem is one of only a few pear-shaped, 50-plus-carat diamonds of the best color grade to be auctioned in decades.
The present owner — a private collector — acquired the 74.79-carat diamond for $4.3 million in 2001. That’s approximately $57,000 per carat. For the upcoming sale, the auction house has the diamond estimated conservatively at $120,000 per carat, according to Lisa Hubbard, chairman of North and South America, Sotheby’s International jewelry division. “This truly exceptional stone exemplifies the strength of the white diamond market over the last decade,” she said.
Top lots from the auction will be on display at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center from April 3 to 7, before returning to The Big Apple for the sale.
Of the 401 lots to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in April, this potentially internally flawless, D-color diamond has gotten the most attention. Sotheby’s claims the gem is one of only a few pear-shaped, 50-plus-carat diamonds of the best color grade to be auctioned in decades.
The present owner — a private collector — acquired the 74.79-carat diamond for $4.3 million in 2001. That’s approximately $57,000 per carat. For the upcoming sale, the auction house has the diamond estimated conservatively at $120,000 per carat, according to Lisa Hubbard, chairman of North and South America, Sotheby’s International jewelry division. “This truly exceptional stone exemplifies the strength of the white diamond market over the last decade,” she said.
Top lots from the auction will be on display at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center from April 3 to 7, before returning to The Big Apple for the sale.
