An exceptionally rare 8.03 carat blue diamond is expected to attract significant attention

 

An exceptionally rare 8.03 carat blue diamond is expected to attract significant attention when it goes to auction in London, with an estimate of up to £2 million (approximately US$2.64 million).

The centre stone is a pear modified brilliant-cut Fancy Light Blue diamond, graded VS2 clarity by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It is mounted within concentric borders of round brilliant-cut pink and white diamonds, with additional round brilliant-cut white diamonds set into the shoulders.

According to Elmwood’s, the specialist auction house handling the sale, it is only the third blue diamond weighing more than eight carats ever offered at auction in the United Kingdom.

The diamond carries an estimate of £1.5 million to £2 million (approximately US$1.98 million to US$2.64 million) and is being sold on behalf of a collector in Glasgow.

The two previous examples include the legendary 70.21-carat Idol’s Eye, sold by Christie’s in London in 1865, and the Wittelsbach Diamond, sold by Sotheby’s in London in 2008.

At 8.03 carats, the new stone would also rank as the third-largest blue diamond sold at auction in British history, according to Elmwood’s. It is also described as the largest pear brilliant-cut blue diamond ever offered at auction in the UK.

What Makes a Diamond Blue?

Natural blue diamonds are among the rarest coloured diamonds in the world.

The blue colour is primarily caused by the presence of boron within the diamond’s crystal structure. Diamonds are composed almost entirely of carbon, but during their formation deep within the Earth, tiny amounts of other elements can become incorporated into the crystal lattice.

When boron atoms replace some carbon atoms, they alter the way the diamond absorbs and interacts with light. The boron absorbs portions of the visible spectrum, allowing the characteristic blue colour to dominate the diamond’s appearance.

DCLA explains that the distinctive blue colour of natural blue diamonds is caused by boron impurities in the crystal structure, with the amount and distribution of boron influencing the resulting colour.

DCLA’s recent article on the world’s most valuable coloured diamonds similarly explains that only a few boron atoms replacing carbon during crystal growth can produce colours ranging from pale blue to vivid blue.

The Gemological Institute of America also identifies Type IIb diamonds as a rare variety containing boron within the crystal structure, which can impart a blue colour.

Boron and a Diamond’s Reaction to UV Light

There is another fascinating aspect of diamond science: fluorescence.

When certain diamonds are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, including the UV component of sunlight or a black light, they can emit visible light. This phenomenon is known as fluorescence.

DCLA explains that diamond fluorescence is caused by trace elements and microscopic structures within the diamond. The most common fluorescence colour is blue, although other colours can occur.

The Gemological Institute of America describes fluorescence as visible light emitted by a diamond when it is exposed to invisible ultraviolet radiation. More than 95% of fluorescent diamonds in GIA’s data show blue fluorescence, although yellow, white and other colours can occasionally occur.

This creates an important distinction:

A blue diamond is not necessarily a diamond that fluoresces blue.

The permanent blue body colour of a natural blue diamond is primarily associated with boron within its crystal structure. Fluorescence, by contrast, is the visible reaction produced when the diamond is exposed to UV light.

A colourless diamond can therefore fluoresce blue under a black light, while a naturally blue diamond does not necessarily fluoresce.

DCLA specifically makes this distinction when explaining blue-white diamonds: blue diamonds have a natural blue body colour caused by boron, whereas blue-white diamonds are colourless or near-colourless diamonds that display blue fluorescence under appropriate lighting.

An Important Detail About This Diamond

This distinction is particularly interesting in the case of the 8.03-carat auction diamond.

Although its natural blue body colour is associated with boron, the published information accompanying the stone reports no fluorescence.

That means the diamond’s blue appearance should not be confused with the blue glow sometimes seen when diamonds are placed under ultraviolet or black light.

This is an excellent example of why gemological examination involves considerably more than simply observing a diamond’s colour. Laboratories can examine a diamond’s fluorescence, spectroscopy, crystal structure and other characteristics to understand the factors responsible for its appearance.

DCLA’s laboratory uses advanced analytical technology, including DiamondView™ fluorescence imaging, which can reveal fluorescence patterns and growth structures useful in distinguishing natural and laboratory-grown diamonds.

Blue Diamonds and the Deep Earth

The story of natural blue diamonds goes even deeper.

Research discussed by GIA has shown that many natural blue, boron-bearing diamonds originated at extraordinary depths within the Earth’s mantle. Their boron is believed to have been carried deep into the Earth through geological processes involving ancient oceanic crust.

This makes large natural blue diamonds remarkable not only because of their rarity and beauty, but because they can provide scientists with a glimpse into parts of the Earth that are otherwise inaccessible.

Fluorescence Is Not Phosphorescence

There is also a subtle but important scientific distinction between fluorescence and phosphorescence.

Fluorescence occurs while the diamond is being exposed to UV light and normally stops almost immediately when the UV source is removed.

Phosphorescence is different: the diamond can continue to emit visible light after the UV source has been switched off.

DCLA explains that phosphorescence involves energy remaining trapped within the diamond and being released over a longer period. Boron can also play a role in the optical behaviour of certain diamonds exhibiting phosphorescence.

This distinction is particularly interesting in blue diamonds. GIA research has documented both blue and red phosphorescence in natural Type IIb, boron-bearing diamonds.

A Remarkable Combination of Rarity and Science

The 8.03-carat diamond demonstrates why exceptional coloured diamonds fascinate both collectors and gemmologists.

Its blue body colour begins at the atomic level, with tiny quantities of boron incorporated into the diamond’s crystal structure billions of years ago. That microscopic difference can transform an otherwise colourless carbon crystal into one of the world’s rarest and most valuable gemstones.

And while this particular diamond reportedly does not fluoresce, the broader science of fluorescence provides another remarkable insight into the way diamonds interact with invisible ultraviolet radiation.

From boron and body colour, to fluorescence and phosphorescence, the science behind coloured diamonds is every bit as fascinating as the gemstones themselves.

Further Reading from DCLA

DCLA — Blue Diamond
Read DCLA’s Blue Diamond guide

DCLA — Fluorescence in Diamonds
Read DCLA’s guide to diamond fluorescence

DCLA — Blue-White Diamonds
Read DCLA’s Blue-White Diamond guide

DCLA — Phosphorescence
Read DCLA’s explanation of phosphorescence

DCLA — Diamond Education
Explore DCLA Diamond Education

DCLA — Our Laboratory & Technology
Explore DCLA’s laboratory and DiamondView™ technology

Independent Scientific References

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has also published extensive research on natural blue, boron-bearing diamonds and their unusual optical properties.

GIA — Where Do Blue Diamonds Come From?

GIA — About Diamond Fluorescence

The Infinite Blue: The Extraordinary Story Behind a $25 Million Blue Diamond

 

Rare blue diamond from South Africa’s Cullinan Mine demonstrates why colour, origin and rarity can transform a diamond into a global treasure

Few diamonds capture the imagination quite like a natural Fancy Vivid blue diamond. In 2023, one of the most remarkable examples in recent years the 11.28-carat Infinite Blue attracted worldwide attention when Sotheby’s Hong Kong offered it as a single-lot auction.

The diamond carried an ambitious pre-sale estimate of US$26 million to US$37 million, reflecting its extraordinary colour, size, provenance and rarity. However, the final result demonstrated just how unpredictable the market for exceptional coloured diamonds can be: the Infinite Blue sold for approximately US$25.3 million, below its low estimate.

A diamond born at the Cullinan Mine

The Infinite Blue has an exceptional pedigree.

Its rough origin was the famous Cullinan Mine in South Africa, operated by Petra Diamonds. Cullinan is internationally recognised as one of the world’s most important sources of natural blue diamonds and has produced some of the most celebrated diamonds ever offered at auction.

The Infinite Blue was cut from a 25.75-carat rough blue diamond, the largest stone in Petra’s Letlapa Tala collection. That collection itself was sold by Petra in 2020, and the rough was subsequently transformed into the polished 11.28-carat gem.

The transformation from rough to polished diamond illustrates one of the fundamental challenges of exceptional coloured diamonds: cutters must balance weight retention with the optimisation of colour, brilliance, proportions and overall appearance.

Why is a blue diamond so rare?

Blue diamonds occupy a very special position in the world of natural diamonds.

Unlike most colourless diamonds, where nitrogen is an important factor in colour, the blue colour in natural Type IIb diamonds is associated with the presence of boron within the diamond’s crystal structure.

The Infinite Blue is classified as a Type IIb diamond, a category representing an exceptionally small proportion of natural diamonds. Petra describes Type IIb diamonds as among the rarest stones recovered from the Cullinan Mine.

Its Fancy Vivid Blue colour grade is equally significant. In the world of coloured diamonds, the intensity and distribution of colour can have an enormous influence on value.

This is why two diamonds of similar size can have dramatically different market values.

The significance of 11.28 carats

There is also a deliberate piece of symbolism in the Infinite Blue’s final weight.

The diamond weighs 11.28 carats, with the number eight incorporated into its final carat weight. Eight is widely regarded as an auspicious number in Chinese and other Asian cultures, where it is associated with prosperity and good fortune.

There is another connection: when the number eight is turned on its side, it resembles the mathematical symbol for infinity.

That symbolism inspired the name Infinite Blue and added an element of cultural meaning to an already extraordinary gemstone.

What makes the Infinite Blue different?

According to published gemological information, the diamond is a Fancy Vivid Blue, VS2-clarity, radiant-cut diamond. Its combination of colour, size and natural origin puts it into an exceptionally small group of diamonds.

The distinction between colour grade and clarity is particularly important when assessing coloured diamonds.

With colourless diamonds, clarity can have a major influence on value. With strongly coloured diamonds, however, colour intensity, hue, saturation and distribution can be fundamental drivers of rarity and price.

This is one reason coloured diamonds require specialised knowledge when they are being evaluated.

Joining an extraordinary group

The Infinite Blue also belongs to a remarkable family of large blue diamonds associated with the Cullinan Mine.

The mine has produced several diamonds that have achieved extraordinary prices at international auctions.

Among them are:

• The Oppenheimer Blue — 14.62 carats, sold for approximately US$57.5 million in 2016.
• The De Beers Blue — 15.10 carats, sold for approximately US$57.5 million in 2022.
• The Infinite Blue — 11.28 carats, sold for approximately US$25.3 million in 2023.

Another famous Cullinan blue diamond, the Blue Moon of Josephine, weighs 12.03 carats and achieved US$48.5 million at auction in 2015.

These stones demonstrate an important fact about the diamond market: rarity does not automatically translate into a predictable price.

Auction values depend on a combination of factors including colour, clarity, size, cut, provenance, market conditions, collector demand and the circumstances of the sale.

A lesson in diamond valuation

The Infinite Blue is an excellent example of why a diamond’s value cannot be determined simply by multiplying carat weight by a price per carat.

A natural Fancy Vivid blue diamond of more than 10 carats belongs to an entirely different market from an ordinary commercial diamond.

Its value is influenced by a complex combination of:

Natural origin + colour + intensity + size + clarity + cut + provenance + rarity + market demand.

For consumers and collectors, this reinforces the importance of independent gemological assessment and accurate documentation when dealing with significant diamonds.

Nature creates the rarity — expertise reveals it

The Infinite Blue ultimately sold for less than its original estimate, but the auction result did little to diminish the gemological importance of the stone.

What makes diamonds such as the Infinite Blue fascinating is that their story begins millions and often billions of years before they ever reach an auction room.

A combination of geological conditions, trace elements, crystal structure and extraordinary rarity created the blue colour. Human expertise then transformed an unusual piece of rough into a polished gemstone capable of commanding more than US$25 million.

For the diamond industry, stones such as the Infinite Blue provide an important reminder that the true value of a rare diamond lies not simply in its size, but in the combination of characteristics that make that particular stone unique.

At DCLA, we believe that understanding those characteristics is fundamental to understanding diamonds themselves.

Messika Showcases Botswana’s Extraordinary Okavango Blue Diamond in One of the World's Rarest High Jewellery Creations

 

French high jewellery house Messika has unveiled an exceptional necklace featuring one of the rarest natural diamonds ever discovered, the remarkable 20.46 carat Okavango Blue Diamond. The extraordinary gem, recovered from Botswana’s renowned Orapa mine, represents one of the finest blue diamonds ever unearthed and highlights the country’s position as a leading source of exceptional natural diamonds.

The story of the Okavango Blue began in 2019 when a 41.11 carat rough blue diamond was discovered at the Orapa mine. Following an extensive cutting and polishing process, the crystal was transformed into a breathtaking 20.46 carat Fancy Deep Blue VVS2 Type IIb oval diamond, a combination of colour, clarity and rarity seldom encountered in the natural world.

Recognising the significance of the gem, the Government of Botswana commissioned celebrated jewellery designer Valérie Messika to create a one of a kind masterpiece worthy of such an extraordinary diamond. Rather than overwhelming the centre stone, Messika chose a timeless design that allows the blue diamond to remain the undisputed focal point.

The completed necklace features the Okavango Blue suspended within a halo of white diamonds and attached to a collar containing more than 500 meticulously set diamonds. The contrast between the brilliant white diamonds and the deep blue centre stone intensifies the diamond’s remarkable colour while emphasising its exceptional size and beauty.

Messika explained that her objective was to create a design that honoured the diamond itself rather than compete with it. The elegant medallion inspired setting gives the necklace a classic appearance while showcasing one of nature’s rarest geological treasures.

Founded in Paris in 2005, Messika has become one of the world’s most recognised contemporary luxury jewellery brands. Valérie Messika inherited generations of diamond expertise through her father, renowned diamond dealer André Messika, and has built an international reputation for modern diamond jewellery collections that combine technical craftsmanship with contemporary design.

Despite its extraordinary value, the necklace has not been created for commercial sale. Instead, it serves as a celebration of Botswana’s natural diamond heritage and the country’s commitment to showcasing its exceptional mineral resources through world class craftsmanship.

The project also reflects Botswana’s long standing partnership with leading jewellers to promote the value and rarity of natural diamonds on the global stage. Messika previously collaborated with Botswana on another remarkable high jewellery creation featuring a rare 33 carat flawless diamond recovered from the country’s mining industry.

Blue diamonds remain among the rarest gemstones on Earth. Their distinctive colour is produced by trace amounts of boron incorporated into the diamond crystal during its formation billions of years ago under extreme geological conditions. Experts estimate that only a tiny fraction of all natural diamonds display a blue colour, making stones such as the Okavango Blue exceptionally scarce.

The Okavango Blue stands as both a geological marvel and a showcase of exceptional craftsmanship. While many of the world’s finest diamonds ultimately enter private collections, this extraordinary necklace has been created as a symbol of Botswana’s natural wealth and the enduring beauty of rare natural diamonds, demonstrating that some treasures transcend commercial value and become part of diamond history.

Source: DCLA

The Heart of Eternity Diamond: The Extraordinary Blue Diamond That Could Redefine Rarity

 

Among the world’s most exceptional gemstones, few diamonds capture the imagination quite like the Heart of Eternity Diamond. A 27.64 carat Fancy Vivid Blue heart shaped diamond, this extraordinary gem represents one of the rarest combinations in the diamond world: exceptional size, intense colour, remarkable clarity, and a story filled with mystery, intrigue, and immense value.

Blue diamonds are among the rarest natural diamonds ever discovered. Their colour comes from trace amounts of boron trapped within the diamond crystal structure during formation deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Unlike traditional colourless diamonds, where rarity is often measured by size and clarity, coloured diamonds are judged by the strength and beauty of their colour, with vivid blues commanding extraordinary premiums.

The Heart of Eternity Diamond sits at the highest level of this category, officially graded Fancy Vivid Blue by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), placing it among the finest blue diamonds ever evaluated.

A Diamond Born from One of the World’s Most Famous Mines

The story of the Heart of Eternity Diamond begins at the legendary Cullinan Diamond Mine in South Africa, formerly known as the Premier Diamond Mine.

This historic mine has produced some of the most important diamonds in history, including the famous Cullinan Diamond, discovered in 1905. The Cullinan Diamond weighed an extraordinary 3,106 carats in rough form and was later cut into nine major diamonds, many of which became part of the British Crown Jewels.

The same geological conditions that created the Cullinan Diamond also produced some of the world’s most valuable blue diamonds, including the Heart of Eternity.

A Gemstone From a Category of Extreme Rarity

At 27.64 carats, the Heart of Eternity is not the largest blue diamond ever discovered, but its combination of size, colour, and shape places it in a category occupied by only a handful of legendary stones.

Natural blue diamonds represent only a tiny fraction of all diamonds mined worldwide. Within that group, stones with a vivid blue colour, significant carat weight, and exceptional quality are almost impossible to replace.

The heart shape adds another layer of uniqueness. While round brilliant diamonds dominate the market for maximum brilliance, a perfectly executed heart shaped diamond requires exceptional rough material and highly skilled cutting to preserve both beauty and weight.

The Mystery Behind the Diamond

The Heart of Eternity Diamond was revealed to the world in the late 1990s after being cut from a much larger rough blue diamond. It became part of the collection of De Beers, which showcased the stone as one of the most remarkable examples of natural blue diamond beauty.

The diamond later attracted significant attention when reports linked it to private ownership and high profile collectors. Like many of the world’s greatest diamonds, its current ownership has remained surrounded by secrecy, adding to its legendary status.

A Value That Could Reach Historic Levels Today

When exceptional blue diamonds appear at auction, they frequently achieve some of the highest prices ever recorded for gemstones.

The famous Blue Moon of Josephine, a 12.03 carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, sold for more than US$48 million in 2015, setting a record price per carat at the time.

The Heart of Eternity Diamond is more than twice the size of the Blue Moon of Josephine, while also possessing the highly desirable Fancy Vivid Blue classification. If a diamond of this quality entered the market today, many experts believe it could command a valuation reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.

Why the Heart of Eternity Matters to the Diamond World

The Heart of Eternity Diamond represents more than just a beautiful gemstone. It is a geological miracle, created over billions of years under extreme conditions, then transformed by human craftsmanship into a piece of natural art.

For diamond professionals and collectors, stones like the Heart of Eternity demonstrate why exceptional natural diamonds remain among the world’s most sought after assets. Their rarity cannot be manufactured, their history cannot be replicated, and their value is driven by the simple reality that there are only a few truly exceptional examples in existence.

At DCLA, the study, grading, and understanding of diamonds is built around recognising these unique characteristics. Every extraordinary diamond tells a story, from its formation deep within the Earth to the moment it is revealed as one of nature’s rarest creations.

10 Carat Blue Diamond Expected to Achieve Over $6 Million at Sotheby’s High Jewelry Auction

 

A rare 10.02 carat fancy intense blue diamond is set to become the centrepiece of Sotheby’s highly anticipated High Jewelry auction in New York, with an estimated value exceeding $6 million.

The exceptional unmounted diamond is a cut cornered rectangular modified brilliant cut and represents a significant rarity in the auction market. It is only the third fancy intense blue diamond weighing 10 carats or more to appear at auction since 2008, highlighting the extraordinary scarcity of these coveted coloured diamonds.

The auction will also feature a selection of remarkable coloured diamond jewels, with several lots carrying estimates above $1 million.

Among the highlights is a 13.77 carat fancy light purplish pink diamond, a cut cornered rectangular stone estimated between $1.5 million and $2 million. Another standout piece is a 6.76 carat fancy grayish blue cushion cut diamond ring, surrounded by pink diamonds and complemented by shield cut diamonds, with an estimate of $1.2 million to $1.8 million.

A 5.02 carat oval fancy intense pink diamond, accompanied by two light pink diamond side stones weighing over 0.40 carats each, carries an estimate of $2 million to $3 million. A 4.19 carat fancy purple pink oval diamond ring, enhanced with round diamonds along the band, is expected to achieve between $1 million and $1.5 million.

The cover lot of the sale is a spectacular 1960s diamond necklace created by Harry Winston. Unlike the house’s traditional designs that often feature marquise and pear shaped diamonds, this exceptional piece focuses on round diamonds. Containing more than 120 carats of diamonds, the necklace features trefoil clusters of marquise diamonds combined with round diamond pairings and can also be transformed into two bracelets. It carries an estimate of $800,000 to $1.2 million.

Continuing its collaboration with De Beers, Sotheby’s will also offer an 11.33 carat internally flawless old mine cut diamond with D colour and Type IIa classification, estimated at $600,000 to $800,000. The sale will also include two rings featuring 2.01 carat pear shaped diamonds, with part of the proceeds benefiting the Peace Parks Foundation, a conservation charity co founded by the late Nelson Mandela.

Other highlights include five exceptional Paraiba tourmalines ranging from 6.11 to 8.48 carats, sourced from a private collection. These rare gemstones will be offered individually, apart from one matching pair. The most valuable Paraiba tourmaline is estimated at $350,000 to $550,000.

The auction will also showcase important historic jewellery, including a diamond necklace created by René Lalique in the 1890s. The piece comes with significant provenance, having belonged to descendants of Elizabeth Sarah Morgan Jay, who was believed to have received it as a wedding gift from her relative J. P. Morgan in 1910.

Sotheby’s latest High Jewelry auction once again demonstrates the continued global demand for exceptional coloured diamonds, rare gemstones, and historically important jewels, where rarity, provenance, and craftsmanship continue to drive record breaking valuations.

Source: DCLA

Two Blue Diamonds Achieve More Than $8 Million Each at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction

 

Rare coloured diamonds once again demonstrated their extraordinary appeal, with two exceptional blue diamonds selling for more than $8 million each at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York.

The highlight was the Azure Blue, a remarkable 31.62 carat pear modified brilliant cut blue diamond. Graded internally flawless, VVS1 clarity and classified as a Type IIb diamond, the exceptional stone achieved $8.4 million, selling within its pre sale estimate.

Another standout was a 5.04 carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring, a marquise modified brilliant cut stone with VVS2 clarity and Type IIb classification, which sold for $8.1 million, exceeding expectations and highlighting the continued demand for the world’s rarest coloured diamonds.

The auction generated a total of $49.7 million, with all 143 lots finding buyers. Alongside the blue diamonds, exceptional sapphires, rubies, emeralds and signed jewellery from renowned houses including Graff, Cartier and Bulgari attracted strong international interest.

“From rare blue diamonds to extraordinary sapphires and rubies, the strength of demand across categories, particularly coloured stones, underscores the global enthusiasm for jewels of beauty, rarity, and provenance,” said Claibourne Poindexter, head of jewellery for the Americas at Christie’s.

Other notable results included:

• A 41.29 carat Ceylon sapphire ring, which achieved $2.3 million against a $600,000 to $800,000 estimate.

• A 15.40 carat Kashmir sapphire ring, selling for $2.2 million.

• A Graff ring featuring a 30 carat Ceylon sapphire, which achieved $1.8 million.

• A pair of David Morris earrings featuring Burmese rubies and exceptional diamonds, selling for $1.4 million.

• A historic circa 1900 brooch featuring an 18.27 carat D colour diamond and natural saltwater pearls, achieving $1.2 million.

The results reinforce the enduring strength of the luxury gemstone market, where rarity, exceptional quality, and provenance continue to drive demand. As collectors compete for truly unique natural gems, exceptional coloured diamonds remain among the most sought after treasures in the world of fine jewellery.

Source: DCLA

6.03 Carat Internally Flawless Blue Diamond Unsold at Major Geneva Auction

 

A rare 6.03 carat fancy vivid blue internally flawless diamond failed to secure a buyer at the recent Sotheby’s Geneva High Jewelry Sale, despite carrying a pre sale estimate between USD $9 million and $12 million. The exceptional blue diamond was the headline lot of the May 12 auction held at the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva.

Although the blue diamond remained unsold, the auction itself was considered a strong success, achieving more than USD $30 million in total sales with 93% of lots sold. Sotheby’s reported its highest participation levels in a Geneva jewellery sale in more than five years, with an average of more than five bidders competing for each sold lot.

Collectors from over 30 countries participated in the auction, with strong interest from buyers across the United States, Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom. Fancy coloured diamonds, important gemstones and signed vintage jewellery continued to dominate buyer demand.

According to Jessica Wyndham, Head of High Jewelry at Sotheby’s Geneva, collector appetite for coloured gemstones remains exceptionally strong, while white diamonds are also experiencing renewed demand. Signed jewellery from iconic maisons, particularly bold 1970s and 1980s designs from Bulgari, significantly exceeded expectations during the sale.

The top performing lot of the auction was a perfectly matched pair of unmounted diamonds, each weighing 18.38 carats. Both diamonds were graded Type IIa and D colour, with one graded flawless and the other internally flawless. The pair sold for more than USD $3.2 million. The diamonds were sourced by De Beers from Botswana’s renowned Jwaneng Mine as part of a collaboration with Sotheby’s showcasing exceptional provenance diamonds.

Another standout lot was the “Peacock of Ceylon,” a remarkable 102.4 carat unheated cushion cut sapphire, which achieved nearly USD $2 million at auction.

A further highlight included a 4.12 carat pear shaped fancy pink internally flawless diamond ring, which sold for USD $1.4 million. The Type IIa diamond, graded by the Gemological Institute of America, featured excellent polish and was mounted between tapered baguette diamond shoulders.

The failure of the vivid blue diamond to sell highlights the increasingly selective nature of today’s high end gemstone market, where rarity alone is no longer enough to guarantee a record result.

Source: DCLA