Auctions

Christie’s to Auction 163-Carat D Flawless Diamond

AuctionsOct 02, 2017

Christie’s to Auction 163-Carat D Flawless Diamond

Polished and set into a de Grisogono necklace, it will be the largest flawless, D-color diamond ever to hit the auction block.

20171002_DeGrisogono-header.jpg
“The Art of de Grisogono, Creation I” will be offered at Christie’s Geneva’s Magnificent Jewels sale on Nov. 14.

Geneva--When “The Art of de Grisogono, Creation I” necklace hits the auction block Nov. 14 in Geneva, the 163.41-carat diamond center stone will be the largest flawless, D-color diamond ever auctioned, according to Christie’s.

The road to reaching this record began in Angola at the Lulo mine in February 2016, with miner Lucapa’s discovery of the largest diamond ever found in the country, and 27th largest in the world, a 404.2-carat piece of rough.

Named the “4 de Fevereiro,” in honor of Angola’s Independence Day, de Grisogono acquired the Type IIa rough stone through its partnership with diamond trading company Nemesis International.


Here is the 404.2-carat “4 de Fevereiro” rough diamond, dug up last year at Lucapa’s Lulo mine in Angola. It holds the record of being the 27th largest rough ever mined and biggest diamond ever discovered in Angola.
The 400-plus carat stone took 10 diamond cutting experts 11 months to analyze, map, laser cut and polish. The first cleave was done by hand in New York on June 29, 2016 and the completed emerald cut, 163.41-carat diamond was graded by the GIA in December 2016, then delivered to Geneva to de Grisogono founder Fawaz Gruosi.

Gruosi, who created de Grisogono in 1993, and his team created 50 potential designs for the stone and in February 2017 settled on what is now “The Art of de Grisogono, Creation I” an asymmetric collar featuring emerald-cut diamonds on one side and pear-shaped emeralds on the other.

“The green gives great contrast and enhances both colors,” Gruosi explained in a press release, “and, being Italian, I am superstitious. Green means good luck--you will see a lot of it in my collections.”

Over the next six months, 14 master craftspeople--consisting of eight jewelers, five setters and one engraver--spent 1,700 hours making Creation I by hand.

The stunning masterpiece features 18 emerald-cut diamonds that are graduated in size from 0.48 to 8.10 carats, totaling 48.64 carats.

A total of 862 brilliant-cut diamonds adorn the settings of these emerald-cut stones, totaling 6.52 carats. The setting of the 163.41-carat diamond, specifically, is 399 brilliant-cut diamonds, and the prongs are set with four baguette-cut diamonds.

Not to be outdone by the diamonds, 5,949 brilliant-cut emeralds totaling 38.84 carats serve as accents for the 66 pear-cut emeralds featured, which weigh 120.42 carats total. The clasp of the collar is hidden under a 0.54-carat emerald.


This image

shows the product of 11 months of analysis, mapping, laser- cutting and polishing by 10 diamond cutting experts of the 404.2-carat “4 de Fevereiro” rough diamond, which resulted in a 163.41-carat emerald-cut stone.
The little white gold that is visible in the design is plated in black rhodium, for what de Grisogono says is meant to invoke a chiaroscuro effort.

The diamond centerpiece may be detached from the collar and when Creation I sells, de Grisogono is willing to work with the buyer on other modular designs, so that the diamond can be incorporated into a cuff, tiara or brooch, for example.

Creation I is the first in a series of high jewelry creations de Grisogono plans to sell through Christie’s, using important diamonds that are notable in terms of scale and quality.

International Head of Christie’s Jewels, Rahul Kadakia, said: “Over our 251-year history, Christie’s has had the privilege of handling the world’s rarest and most historic diamonds. The sensational 163.41- carat perfect diamond suspended from an elegant emerald and diamond necklace propels de Grisogono into a class of their own.”

The Art of de Grisogono, Creation I is on view now in Hong Kong, and will make stops next in London, Dubai and in New York at Rockefeller Center between Nov. 3 and 6, before heading to Christie’s Geneva, where it will be on view at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues.


“The Art of de Grisogono, Creation I” is the first in a series of high jewelry designs de Grisogono will create using rare and important diamonds, and will sell through Christie’s.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

5 main.jpg
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry Catalog

Sponsored by Tasha R

Harris Jewelry storefront
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund Requests

A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.

Cynthia Erivo wearing Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo collection
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ Collection

Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

Rocksbox San Francisco store
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San Francisco

The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.

Weekly QuizNov 21, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Mary Moses Kinney
IndependentsNov 21, 2024
Mary Moses Kinney Is Now Part of The Edge’s Team

Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.

Sotheby’s New York building
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax Fraud

The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.

Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYC

This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.

Kering logo
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability Focus

The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.

Model wearing pieces from Camera Oscura collection
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New Collection

The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.

Columbia Gem House “Pebbles to Pines” fundraiser
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation Efforts

The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.

The jewelry symposium 2025
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship Applications

The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.

Stock image of police cars with lights on
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry Store

Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.

Trove NYC flagship exterior
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYC

The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.

Snoop Dogg and Carolyn Rafaelian
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love

“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.

Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s Rebrand

Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.

Andrea Jose jewelry
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry Week

The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.

Dolly Parton and Kendra Scott
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra Scott

The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.

IGI Expressions
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition Returns

This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.

New York Comic Con Javits Center crowd
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic Con

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.

Marie Lichtenberg and Raiz’in collection
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ Designs

The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.

Citizen 100th Anniversary Limited Edition #1 Pocket Watch
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket Watch

No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.

My Next Question store security episode
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure

On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.

18th century diamond necklace
AuctionsNov 14, 2024
18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M

Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light Display

Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.

Grand Seiko store in Honolulu Hawaii
WatchesNov 14, 2024
Grand Seiko Partners With Ben Bridge on First Hawaii Store

The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.

Travelers on Gem Legacy Adventures Trip
SourcingNov 13, 2024
Gem Legacy Adventures Announces 2025 Trip

Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy