The world’s largest white diamond, known as “The Rock,” is on display for the first time ahead of its sale at auction, where it’s expected to sell for up to $30 million.
Christie’s offered photos and video of the 228.31-carat pear-shaped diamond, which the auction house said in a news release had been mined and polished in South Africa, and is the largest white diamond to appear for sale at auction.
Christie’s said the diamond was graded as G color and VS1 clarity. The previous auction record for the largest white diamond sold was a 163.41-carat gem sold by Christie’s in November 2017 for $33,701,000.
The diamond will debut at Christie’s Dubai from March 26-29, before going to Taipei and New York’s Rockefeller Plaza from April 29-May 1.
“The Middle East has always had such a great appreciation for important jewels and gemstones, Rahul Kadakia, international head of jewelry at Christie’s, said to AFP. “We thought it would be nice for us to launch the diamond in an area where there are so many great collectors for important gems of this nature.”
Earlier this year, “The Enigma,” the largest cut diamond to ever go to auction, was sold by Sotheby’s in London for $4.3 million, CBS News reported. That diamond is 555.55 carats.
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