The white diamond nicknamed "The Rock" estimated to be worth up to 30 million USD, is displayed for the first time in Dubai more than 20 years after it was found.
"The Middle East has always had great respect for top-notch jewelry and gemstones," Rahul Kadakia, international director of jewelry at Christie's auction house, shared about the diamond display. The Rock" in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from today until March 29.
The 228.31-carat diamond was found more than 20 years ago in South Africa. After completing the 4-day display in Dubai, the gem will be brought to Taipei and New York cities, then transferred to Geneva, Switzerland, for the auction on May 11.
Christie's confirms that this is the most prominent white diamond ever auctioned, measuring more than 5 cm long, about 3.4 cm wide, and 2.2 cm thick.
The stone has passed through the hands of two owners. The first sale was kept secret, and it was also broken by Christie's. The current owner proposed that the company organize a public auction when he sees the market for buying and selling gems and works of art heating up again.
Christie's expects the white diamond to sell for $20-30 million. The company has sold two white diamonds in the past decade, including a 102-carat stone in 2013 for $26.7 million and a 163-carat diamond necklace for $33.7 million in 2017.
According to AFP, Bloomberg
