A $48 Million Diamond

In April 2022, enthusiasts around the world are preparing for a record-breaking auction! One of the most important auctions ever will be held in Hong Kong, with a $48 million diamond as the undisputed star. Let's find out more...

A diamond sold at auction by Sotheby

Sotheby's is one of the most important auction houses in the United Kingdom, with hundreds of branches around the world. Its historic headquarters is in New Bond Street, London. In the April auction, it will be responsible for beating the diamond with the highest value in the world.

Fancy Blue: the "De Beers Cullinan Blue"

The diamond in question belongs to the group of "fancy" diamonds, thanks to its wonderful blue color. It measures about 15 carats and its price is around 48 million dollars, equal to about 42 million euros. A crazy figure, which even beats Botticelli's paintings, sold at auction for a maximum of 45.5 million dollars.

The blue diamond has been named the "De Beers Cullinan Blue" and comes from a rough stone of approximately 40 carats. Before the "De Beers Cullinan Blue", another fancy vivid blue diamond had attracted the most important auctioneers. It is the "Oppenhimer", which sold for approximately 57 million dollars. The shade of this new diamond, however, is more particular and rare, making it very likely more valuable.

Furthermore, the Gemological Institute of America has specified that the "De Beers" is internally flawless , that is, internally perfect, without defects or inclusions.

Where does the name come from?

The rough stone from which "De Beers" is derived was discovered in South Africa , in the Cullinan mine (hence the name), in 2021. It was then purchased by the diamond processing company De Beers, together with its partner Diacore. The beautiful blue shade is due to traces of boron within the crystal lattice of the diamond.

More Blue Diamonds

Only 5 blue diamonds weighing more than 10 carats have been auctioned , yet the "De Beers" already holds the title of the most beautiful ever seen. Also thanks to its cut, stepped, usually reserved for white diamonds, but perfect for enhancing their purity.

The first attestations of this type of stone date back to the 17th century. The first to find a blue diamond was Jean Baptiste Tavernier , who sold it to the king of France Louis XIV. For this reason the diamond was nicknamed French Blue, but passed down from generation to generation, it became better known as " Hope ". Today this stone, weighing 45 carats, still exists and is exhibited at the Smithsonian museum in Washington.

In short: the "De Beers Cullinan Blue" is definitely destined to become part of history. Who knows if, in a few hundred years, it too will be exhibited in a museum. We will see some beautiful things!