The 11.28-carat mixed-cut “Infinite Blue” diamond will be offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong this fall.
Hong Kong—Pinkand red stoneshave dominated auction headlines in 2023 but a blue diamond is soon set to have its moment.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong will offer the 11.28-carat “Infinite Blue” diamond in a single-lot sale on Oct. 5. It is expected to sell for between $26 million and $37 million.
The stone was purposely cut to include the number 8 in the carat weight, which is considered an auspicious number in Asia. The number, which turned on its side is the infinity symbol, is responsible for the diamond’s name too.
The GIA graded the Infinite Blue stone fancy vivid blue. The highest possible color grade for blue diamonds, only about 1 percent of blue diamonds submitted to the lab are deemed to be fancy vivid.
The Infinite Blue is a Type IIb diamond, meaning it has little to no nitrogen like Type IIa diamonds but contains boron, which is responsible for its color.
Per the GIA’s monograph on the stone, the diamond’s cut-cornered rectangular mixed-cut represents a modern cutting style with the classic proportions and crown faceting of an emerald cut but with the triangular and kite-shaped facets signature to brilliant cuts on the pavilion.
The “Infinite Blue” diamond is set in a ring with a pink diamond halo and white diamond side stones.
“To say the Infinite Blue is special cannot be overstated,” the GIA monograph reads.
“This glorious and notable diamond is an example of what can occur when nature leads the way and humankind embraces the Earth’s treasures—producing a radiant gem of spirited light performance. The Infinite Blue will continue to stun gem connoisseurs and diamond lovers alike. In the world of gems, blue diamonds steal the show.”
Hailing from Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan mine in South Africa, the Infinite Blue joins a small group of blue diamonds weighing more than 10 carats from the mine that have appeared at auction.
“The Blue Moon of Josephine,” a 12.03-carat cushion-cut internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond sold for $48.5 million, or approximately $4 million per carat, in 2015.
“The De Beers Blue,” a 15.10-carat step-cut fancy vivid blue diamond sold for $57.4 million, or approximately $3.8 million per carat, in 2022 and “The Oppenheimer Blue,” a 14.62-carat rectangular-cut diamond, sold for $57.5 million or about $3.9 million per carat in 2016.
