28-Carat diamond sets new online auction record
A 28.86-carat D-color diamond recently sold for $2.1 million (that’s about R35 million) setting a record for a jewel sold at an online-only auction.
It’s said that the VVS1 clarity gem was the top lot at Christie’s Jewels Online sale, held from 16 to 30 June 2020.
An exceptional stone
“The impressive stone received bids immediately upon the sale going live,” a press release states. “After a fierce competition of 31 bids, from four countries spanning Asia to America, the exceptional stone sold for $2.1 million setting the new record for a jewel sold in an online auction.”
Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewelry at Christie’s noted that the spectacular 28.86-carat D-color diamond received immediate attention upon its announcement.
“The stone possesses transparency and purity which can only be found in the world’s finest diamonds. The sale of this exceptional stone established the record for a jewel sold in an online-only auction, demonstrating greater client confidence in Christie’s digital ability and online sale platform.”
Overall the online sale received significant global participation with bidders from 27 countries and five continents. Now, Christie’s Jewels sales calendar for July 2020 includes live and online auctions in Geneva, Hong Kong, London, New York, and Paris. The global sales will collectively feature over 1 000 jewels, including a significant selection of colourless diamonds, coloured diamonds, and rare gemstones, along with signed creations by various designer brands.
‘Outshined only by the Cullinan Diamond’
Last year it was reported that a diamond, unearthed in Botswana, was roughly the size of a tennis ball and weighed 1 100 carats, making it the second-largest in the world. It was reported that the record-breaking 302 carat Botswana diamond went on sale after it was mined at the Lucara mine in Botswana by the Lucuara Diamond Corp, when it took approximately 18 months to polish and turn it into the gem it is today.
It is outshined only by the Cullinan Diamond, a 3 106 beast of a rock unearthed in South Africa more than a century ago and currently in possession of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Graff Lesedi La Rona was unveiled in Cape Town, but it’s so expensive, Graff Jewelers didn’t reveal the price. However, Laurence Graff did say it was “beyond words.” He explained:
“My love affair with diamonds is life-long and crafting the Graff Lesedi La Rona has been an honour. This diamond is beyond words.”
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