World's priciest diamond? 'Flawless' Blue Moon gemstone could fetch record HK$426 million ... and it's coming to Hong Kong
A blue diamond weighing 12.03 carats which could sell for a record US$55 million (HK$426 million) will be exhibited in Hong Kong when it goes up for auction in November, Sotheby’s said.
The Blue Moon diamond, discovered in South Africa in January last year, has been described by experts as internally flawless and will be exhibited in Hong Kong, London and New York before its likely purchase at auction in Geneva on November 11.
“The Blue Moon diamond is a simply sensational stone of perfect colour and purity,” David Bennett, who heads Sotheby’s international jewellery division, said in a statement.
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He added that the immense hype which followed the stone’s discovery “has now been proven to have been totally justified.”
The Gemological Institute of America previously declared the Blue Moon to be “internally flawless”.
Categorised as a fancy vivid blue diamond, the Blue Moon is the largest cushion-shaped stone in that category to ever appear at auction.
Watch: Sotheby's Blue Moon diamond
Sotheby’s put its estimated sale price between US$35-US$55 million which, at the higher end, would mark a record for any diamond sale.