Christie’s said its Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva on 11th May 2022 will be led by a 228.31-carat pear-shaped diamond, The Rock, that is estimated to fetch between $20 million and $30 million.
The exceptionally rare gemstone was mined and polished in South Africa over two decades ago and is the largest white diamond ever to appear for sale at auction.
Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewellery, said: “The Rock will join the very best of legendary gemstones which 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.”
Graded by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) as G colour, VS1 clarity, The Rock is also accompanied by a letter from the GIA stating that it is the largest existing D-Z colour pear-shaped diamond ever graded by the laboratory. The previous auction record for the largest white diamond was a 163.41-carat gem, which sold at Christie’s Geneva in November 2017 for $33,701,000.
The Rock will be revealed at Christie’s Dubai from 26th to 29th March, before touring to Taipei and Rockefeller Plaza in New York from 29th April to 1st May. This exceptional diamond will then be on display to the public during Christie’s Luxury Week at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva from 6th to 11th May.