A 228.31 Carat White Diamond is scheduled to be auctioned in Geneva, Switzerland on the 11th. It will become the largest white diamond ever auctioned, with an estimated price of 19 million to 30 million US dollars. The pear shaped white diamond, called the rock, is the size of a golf ball, Reuters reported. Max Fawcett, head of jewelry auction at Christie's auction house, said that the largest diamonds often sacrifice shape in order to maintain weight. Unlike "rock", it is not only large, but also "perfectly symmetrical and pear shaped".
△ pear shaped white diamond "rock"
"Rock" was produced in South Africa and was inlaid on a string of Cartier necklaces worn by the former owner before shooting.
According to Agence France Presse, few diamonds of comparable size and quality to "rock" have been auctioned before. Christie's auctioned a 163.41 Carat White Diamond in 2017, with a deal of US $33.7 million.
Another diamond to be auctioned with "rock" is also quite eye-catching. This is a pillow shaped yellow diamond, called "Red Cross Diamond", weighing 205.07 carats. The estimated price ranges from US $7.09 million to US $10.13 million.
△ pillow shaped yellow diamond "Red Cross Diamond"
"Red Cross Diamond" was discovered in South Africa in 1901. It is one of the largest diamonds in the world. It has a natural Maltese Cross. When it was first auctioned in 1918, the income was used to fund the British Red Cross and another charity. This will be the third time that the diamond will appear at the auction, and part of the auction proceeds will be donated to the International Red Cross.