The Rock worth US$30 million is on the move

This May, “The Rock” will be making a grand entrance through the doors of Christie’s auction in Geneva. Make no mistake, it is not just any rock, but The Rock – a 228.31-carat white diamond with a presale estimate between US$20 million and US$30 million.

This magnificent gemstone is the largest existing pear-shaped white diamond, and has been graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as G colour and VS1 clarity – a high clarity grade with negative visible inclusions. Christie’s has also deemed it to be the largest white diamond to appear at auction.

“The Rock will join the very best of legendary gemstones which have passed through Christie’s global salerooms since 1766,” said Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s international head of jewellery. “The market for diamonds is particularly vibrant and we are confident that this sensational gemstone will capture the attention of collectors across the globe this spring season.”

The diamond is to highlight the auction house’s jewellery sale on the 11th May in Geneva. As it stands, the largest white diamond sold publicly was a 163.41-carat gem, fetching a hefty US$33.7 million at a Christie’s sale in Geneva in November 2017.

Though the most expensive diamond sold at auction, taking into account white and coloured diamonds, was the Pink Star – an oval-shaped, 59.6-carat pink diamond that was sold for roughly US$71.2 million at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in April 2017.

The grand gemstone was exhibited at Christie’s Dubai from the 26th – 29th March, and is to be displayed in Taipei and New York from the 29th April – 1st May.

“The Middle East has always had such a great appreciation for important jewels and gemstones,” said Rahul Kadakia, on why Dubai was the first stop on the gem’s world tour. “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.”

Following its brief tour around the globe, it shall return to Geneva to be auctioned from the 6th – 11th May.

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