Geneva— Sotheby’s will auction a remarkable collection of high-value diamonds, including the famed Allnatt diamond, on May 14 at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Geneva.
The centerpiece of the auction is the Allnatt diamond, a Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond brooch by Cartier, estimated to sell for 5.6 to 6.5 million Swiss Francs ($6.1 million to $7.1 million). Weighing 101.29 carats, the diamond boasts a BS-2 clarity and a high crown, indicative of its older cutting style. The stone is believed to have been mined in South Africa over a century ago and was first owned by Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt, a British sportsman and philanthropist who commissioned Cartier to create the flower-inspired mount in 1952.
“The Allnatt diamond is a truly exceptional piece with a rich history, having appeared in international exhibitions, including at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. This is the first time it has been up for sale in almost 30 years,” said Catharine Becket, head of sales of Magnificent Jewels at Sotheby’s.
Another highlight of the auction is an Internally Flawless, E-color diamond weighing 37.61 carats, expected to fetch between 1.46 million and 2.37 million Swiss Francs ($1.6 million to $2.6 million).
The Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Sale will feature approximately 120 lots, many with six or seven-figure estimates, making it a significant event for collectors and investors alike.