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Sothby’s Unveils

'Infinite Blue' Diamond: A Dazzling $37 Million Masterpiece

Infinite Blue' Diamond

‘Infinite Blue’ Diamond Credit: Sotheby’s

Hong Kong Auction Extravaganza: 'Infinite Blue' Diamond Set to Fetch Upwards of $37 Million"

In a distinctive auction staged in the vibrant metropolis of Hong Kong, Sotheby’s is poised to unveil a resplendent 11.28-carat blue diamond, with aspirations of commanding a staggering $37 million in the crucible of its sale. Sotheby’s, in an announcement that resonates with grandeur, has disclosed the initiation of its autumnal luxury auction series in this bustling urban epicenter. Commencing on the 5th of October, this opulent event will unfurl its curtains with the presentation of the “Infinite Blue,” an exquisite 11.28-carat radiant-cut fancy-vivid blue diamond. This magnificent gem is distinguished by its distinctive incorporation of the propitious number eight, a symbol redolent of prosperity in the tapestry of Asian culture and emblematic of the concept of boundless infinity, as meticulously elucidated by the venerable auction house.

The provenance of this exceptional gem christened the Infinite Blue, can be traced back to the original rough extracted from Petra Diamonds’ renowned Cullinan mine, nestled in the heart of South Africa. It proudly bears the classification of a rare type IIb stone, a rarity accounting for a mere fraction of a percentage among diamonds sharing its provenance, graced with a resplendent blue hue of such striking caliber. This exquisite gem, The Infinite Blue, now joins the exclusive echelons of a quartet of fancy-vivid-blue diamonds, each surpassing the 10-carat threshold, unearthed from the same hallowed mine. This illustrious quartet comprises the 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue, which commanded a princely sum of $57.5 million in 2016; the 15.10-carat De Beers Blue, which found a new custodian for a staggering $57.5 million in 2022; and the ethereal Blue Moon of Josephine, a 12.03-carat gem that captured the imagination and the pockets of connoisseurs, fetching a remarkable $48.5 million in 2015.

Sotheby's Unveils 'Infinite Blue' Diamond

‘Infinite Blue’ Diamond Credit: Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s is elated to unveil the Infinite Blue, an 11.28-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond. Intricately designed as a ring adorned with brilliant-cut and trapeze-shaped diamonds, the Infinite Blue showcases a mesmerizing hue that metaphorically mirrors the vast expanse of the boundless ocean. The unearthing of the rough counterpart for the Infinite Blue, at the legendary Cullinan mine, was an epochal event. It’s worth noting that a mere 0.1% of the total mining output can yield blue diamonds, irrespective of the depth of their color saturation. The Blue Moon of Josephine, a 12-carat gem from the same mine, made waves in 2015 by setting an auction per-carat price record of US$4 million, a record that endures to this day. More recently, in the preceding year, a 15-carat De Beers Blue diamond commanded a princely sum exceeding US$57 million.

Before gracing the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with its resplendent presence from the 2nd to the 5th of October, the Infinite Blue shall embark on a global sojourn. Private viewings, reserved exclusively for the discerning few, shall be facilitated upon request.

‘Infinite Blue’ Diamond Credit: Sotheby’s

‘Infinite Blue’ Diamond’s Potential to Command Upwards of $37M at Auction Sotheby’s Hong Kong, in a singular and momentous event, shall proffer for sale an 11.28-carat fancy vivid blue diamond in the upcoming month of October. Hong Kong—While headlines in the world of auctions have predominantly sung the praises of pink and red gemstones in the year 2023, a luminous blue diamond is poised to seize the spotlight.

Sotheby’s Hong Kong, in a gesture of unparalleled magnificence, shall offer for auction the illustrious 11.28-carat “Infinite Blue” diamond, in an exclusive single-lot sale scheduled for the 5th of October. Prognostications hover in the range of $26 million to $37 million for the anticipated hammer price.

This precious gem has been meticulously sculpted to incorporate the numeral 8 within its carat weight, a numerical symbolism revered as an emblem of auspiciousness in the context of Asian cultures. When the number 8 is rotated onto its side, it assumes the form of the infinity symbol, thereby bestowing upon the diamond its nomenclature.

The eminent Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has accorded the Infinite Blue diamond the coveted appellation of “fancy vivid blue,” a distinction reserved for only approximately 1 percent of blue diamonds subjected to its exacting scrutiny.

The Infinite Blue falls within the classification of Type IIb diamonds, characterized by a dearth of nitrogen content and the presence of boron, responsible for the beguiling azure hue that adorns this magnificent jewel.

infinite-blue-diamond-sothebys

‘Infinite Blue’ Diamond Credit: Sotheby’s

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‘Infinite Blue’ Diamond Credit: Sotheby’s

As elucidated in the GIA’s comprehensive monograph, the Infinite Blue boasts a cut-cornered rectangular mixed-cut, a testament to modern cutting techniques that seamlessly fuse the classic proportions and crown faceting reminiscent of emerald cuts with the distinctive triangular and kite-shaped facets emblematic of brilliant cuts on the pavilion. The GIA monograph resonates with praise for the Infinite Blue, proclaiming, “To say the Infinite Blue is special cannot be overstated. This glorious and notable diamond is an example of what can occur when nature leads the way and humankind embraces the Earth’s treasures

Irit Heimann

Irit Heimann

VP Of Online Marketing - MID House Of Diamonds

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