100-carat diamond originally mined in South Africa was sold for $22.1 million in New York on Tuesday in three minutes of bidding.
(‘Definition of perfection’—Sotheyby’s. Internally flawless 100-carat diamond.)
Sotheby’s said that the “perfect” diamond was the largest perfect diamond with a classic Emerald cut to be auctioned.
The diamond was perfected for more than a year of polishing after it was discovered in the De Beers mines of South Africa.
Sotheby’s also added that the winning bidder closed the deal through telephone and remained anonymous.
The jewel had been offered by the auction house in the Middle East twice as well as in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, London and New York to attract interest ahead of the sale.
Gary Schuler, head of the Sotheby’s jewelry department in New York, called the stone “the definition of perfection” and is one of the only five comparable quality diamonds weighing more than 100 carats to be sold at auction.
Schuler even described the jewel as, “The color is whiter than white, it is free of any internal imperfections, and so transparent that I can only compare it to a pool of icy water.”
H/T: Inquirer.net/ Photo by Lucy Nicholson/ Reuters
