Christie’s has a knack for sourcing some of the world’s most exceptional (and largest) stones. Take the 163.41 ct. diamond and emerald de Grisogono necklace, for example, that sold for nearly $34 million in Geneva’s 2017 Magnificent Jewels sale, breaking the auction record for a colorless diamond. Or the 101.73 ct. Winston Legacy pear-shape diamond that went for almost $27 million in the same sale four years earlier. And now, the auction house is putting yet another unique stone on the block: the 103.49 ct. Light of Africa Diamond.
A flawless, type IIa diamond (which constitutes fewer than 2% of the world’s diamonds), the Light of Africa Diamond was sourced from Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan diamond mine in South Africa, where it was also cut and polished. “The Cullinan diamond mine has produced some of the world’s most famous diamonds, such as the Great Star of Africa and the Second Star of Africa, both of which are part of the British crown jewels,” Christie’s international head of jewelry, Rahul Kadakia, tells JCK. “Christie’s is proud to present the Light of Africa, also unearthed from the Cullinan diamond mine, and deemed the pinnacle of the diamond pyramid by the Gemological Institute of America. We look forward to offering this incredible diamond at auction and providing the rare opportunity for collectors to acquire such a notable stone.”
Following debuts at Christie’s Geneva and Hong Kong, the Light of Africa Diamond will return to New York and lead the New York Magnificent Jewels sale on June 8. The emerald-cut stone is expected to go for anywhere between $11 million and $18 million.
Top: The 103.49 ct. Light of Africa Diamond has an estimate of $11 million–$18 million.
(Photo courtesy of Christie’s)
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