The 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
‘Exceptional’ white diamond brings $65K a carat
Diamond cutting and manufacturing firm Diacore paid $15.2 million, or $65,577 a carat, for the 232.08-carat white diamond recovered from the Cullinan mine earlier this year.

London--Diamond cutting and manufacturing firm Diacore paid $15.2 million, or $65,577 a carat, for the 232.08-carat white diamond recovered from the Cullinan mine earlier this year.
London-based Petra Diamonds Ltd. found the stone in September and, upon its recovery, revealed that it was a D color, Type IIa diamond. Type IIa diamonds have no measurable nitrogen impurities, which means colorless type IIas are of both high color and clarity; this stone is so clear that it resembles an ice cube.
It is one of a number of large pieces of rough uncovered this year, which has been particularly fruitful for big diamond finds.
In a release issued Friday announcing the sale, Petra CEO Johan Dippenaar described the stone as an “outstanding example of the very high-quality large diamonds produced at Cullinan,” a mine that also produced 29- and 122-carat blue diamonds just this year.
Diacore, which has offices all over the world, has cut a number of exceptional high-profile stones including the 59.60 fancy vivid, oval-cut “Pink Star” and the “De Beers Millennium Star,” a 203.04-carat pear-shaped, D color flawless diamond.
The Latest

G.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.

Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

U.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.


Health monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.

Ten organizations were selected this year.

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

Kim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.