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‘Cullinan Dream’ Could Sell For $23-$29 Million
The 24.18-carat fancy intense blue diamond is the largest of four blue diamonds cut from a 122.52-carat rough discovered at the Cullinan mine in 2014.
The 24.18-carat “Cullinan Dream,” found to be Type IIb and of VS2 clarity by the Gemological Institute of America, will be the largest fancy intense blue diamond offered at auction, Christie’s said. (Photo credit: Christie’s Images Ltd. 2016)
New York--Another big blue diamond is stepping into the auction spotlight.
A 24.18-carat fancy intense blue diamond dubbed the “Cullinan Dream” is expected to sell in the range of $23 to $29 million when it leads Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale on June 9 in New York.
Flanked by baguette-cut diamonds weighing 2.36 carats total, the stone will be the largest fancy intense blue diamond offered at auction, according to Christie’s.
The Gemological Institute of America determined the diamond to be Type IIb and of VS2 clarity.
The Cullinan Dream is the largest of four blue diamonds cut from a 122.52-carat piece of rough discovered at the Cullinan mine in South Africa in 2014.
That mine is famous for the discovery of the biggest piece of rough in history, which yielded the 530.20-carat Cullinan I, the largest polished white diamond in existence. The Cullinan I is part of the British Crown Jewels, housed in the Tower of London.
Christie’s New York’s Magnificent Jewels sale is comprised of 260 lots, ranging in price estimates from $4,000 to $23 million, including exceptional fancy colored and colorless diamonds, colored gemstones and natural pearls, among others.
Another notable piece in the sale will be an oval diamond ring weighing 52.76 carats, a pair of diamond ear pendants weighing 21.21 carats and 20.80 carats and a 51.06-carat fancy intense yellow diamond ring.
With these platinum ear pendants, each features a cushion brilliant-cut diamond, weighing approximately 21.21 and 20.80 carats, suspended from a graduated trapezoid-cut diamond line. They could garner as much as $1.5 million at Christie’s. (Photo credit: Christie’s Images Ltd. 2016)
This ring is set with a 52.76-carat oval brilliant-cut diamond of K color and VS2 clarity mounted in platinum. Christie’s expects it to sell for between $1.8 and $2.2 million. (Photo credit: Christie’s Images Ltd. 2016)
A cut-cornered square modified brilliant-cut, VS1 fancy intense yellow diamond weighing approximately 51.06 carats and mounted in 18-karat gold is predicted to sell for $1.3 to $1.8 million. (Photo credit: Christie’s Images Ltd. 2016)
It also will include signed pieces from private collections and estates with brands such as Buccellati, Bulgari, Cartier, David Webb, Graff, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels.
The complete list of items can be found on Christies.com.
The auction house also recently sold a record-breaking diamond when the rectangular-cut, 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue went for $57.5 million, making it the most expensive jewel at auction.
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