A stunning 10.03-carat blue diamond, dubbed the Mediterranean Blue, is set to headline Sotheby’s prestigious High Jewelry Auction this May. The rare gemstone, which boasts a breathtaking fancy vivid blue color, is projected to bring in up to $20 million (CHF 18 million). The auction will feature this dazzling diamond alongside other exquisite high-end collectibles.
A Unique Gem of Exceptional Quality
The Mediterranean Blue diamond is a cushion modified brilliant cut, renowned for its perfect proportions and brilliant facets. Its vivid blue hue, reminiscent of the Mediterranean’s tranquil waters, has earned it the highest color grading from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Additionally, the diamond boasts a VS2 clarity rating and is classified as a Type IIb diamond, a classification that applies to less than 0.5% of all diamonds, making it an extraordinary find.
This exceptional gem hails from South Africa’s famed Cullinan mine, known for producing some of the most remarkable blue diamonds in recent years. The Mediterranean Blue diamond was extracted from a rough 31.94-carat stone discovered in 2023. After over a year of meticulous planning and cutting, the diamond emerged as a breathtaking 10.03-carat gem.
The Mediterranean Blue’s Journey to Auction
The diamond’s journey to Sotheby’s auction block has been one of careful craftsmanship and global showcase. Before its May 13 auction in Geneva, the Mediterranean Blue will be displayed in several locations around the world. It will debut in Abu Dhabi at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, before traveling to Taipei, Hong Kong, and New York, offering collectors and enthusiasts a rare chance to view the gem in person.
“The Mediterranean Blue represents one of nature’s rarest gems,” said Quig Bruning, Head of Jewelry at Sotheby’s Americas and EMEA. “Any vivid blue diamond is a remarkable discovery, but one as captivating as this, particularly over 10-carats, is a noteworthy event. Its size, cut, and mesmerizing ocean-blue color place it in the company of some of the most significant blue diamonds to have ever been auctioned.”
The Legacy of Blue Diamonds
Blue diamonds have long captured the public’s fascination, due to their rarity and striking beauty. According to Sotheby’s, less than 0.1% of all diamonds show any evidence of a blue hue. Past auctions of blue diamonds have seen record-breaking sales, including the 2023 sale of the Infinite Blue diamond, which fetched $25 million. The 15.10-carat De Beers Cullinan diamond, also sourced from the Cullinan mine, holds the current record for the largest blue diamond ever sold, commanding an astounding $57.5 million at auction three years ago.
As the Mediterranean Blue prepares to make its mark at auction, it stands as a rare gem that could join the ranks of the world’s most coveted diamonds.
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