Mar 13th, 2013

Flawless, absolutely flawless

On 15 May 2013 Christie’s will have the privilege of presenting at auction in Geneva an extraordinary pear-shaped perfect diamond weighing 101.73 carats. Offered for sale for the very first time, this sensational gemstone is not only one of the largest pear-shaped diamonds known to date, it is also one of the world’s most perfect diamonds: a D color, Type IIA Flawless gem.

“A perfect diamond is the result of the skill and vision of a master cutter who is able to uncover beauty from a rough gem,” said Rahul Kadakia, head of Jewellery, Christie’s Switzerland and Americas. “This diamond is in its scale, quality and rarity one of the most beautiful ‘white’ diamonds Christie’s has ever had the honor of offering for sale.”

The diamond meets every criteria of perfection, according to Christie’s. The Gemological Institute of America graded it colorless- or a D color, and flawless clarity. In addition, fewer than 2 percent of the world’s diamond meets the type IIA criteria for transparency and brilliance.

The diamond was carved from a 236-carat rough diamond that was found at the Jwaneng Mine in Botswana. It took 21 months to polish, according to Christie’s.  Anyone know polished it?

Out of a total annual worldwide diamond production in excess of 100 million carats, the Gemological Institute of America estimates there are no more than 600 diamond crystals that finish as polished stones between one and two carats and that are D color, flawless clarity, the auction house says. Above ten carats this figure decreases dramatically.

Sources:

Christie’s

Forbes – Anthony DeMarco