A rare and breathtaking gemstone is poised to captivate the world of high jewelry. The Mediterranean Blue Diamond, a 10.3-carat fancy vivid blue masterpiece, will take center stage at Sotheby’s Geneva High Jewelry sale on May 13, with an estimated value of $20 million. Boasting a mesmerizing oceanic hue, remarkable size, and unparalleled rarity, this extraordinary gem is already being likened to some of the most legendary blue diamonds ever to grace the auction stage.
The Mediterranean Blue Diamond: A Diamond of Remarkable Rarity
Blue diamonds of this caliber are nearly mythical in their rarity. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), only 0.3% of all diamonds submitted for grading each year exhibit a predominantly blue hue. Within this already exclusive category, an even smaller fraction earns the prestigious fancy vivid classification—the highest possible grade for a colored diamond.
Adding to its allure, the Mediterranean Blue Diamond belongs to the ultra-rare Type IIb category, which accounts for less than 0.5% of all diamonds. These diamonds are prized not only for their exceptional purity but also for their ability to conduct electricity, a characteristic shared with some of the world’s most legendary blue diamonds.
Quig Bruning, Sotheby’s head of Jewelry for the Americas and EMEA, emphasizes the importance of this discovery, saying,
“Any vivid blue diamond is a discovery worth celebrating, but one as entrancing as this, particularly being over 10 carats, is a newsworthy event.”
With its charming cushion cut, hypnotic deep blue hue, and extraordinary clarity, this diamond is expected to captivate collectors and connoisseurs alike.
A Journey from the Depths of the Earth to the Auction Block
The story of the Mediterranean Blue Diamond begins deep within the legendary Cullinan Mine in South Africa—the world’s premier source of blue diamonds. Discovered in 2023 as a 31.94-carat rough diamond, this exceptional gem underwent an extraordinary transformation. After over a year of meticulous study and six months of precise cutting and polishing, it emerged as the breathtaking 10.3-carat masterpiece set to captivate collectors.
The Cullinan Mine has a storied history of yielding some of the world’s most celebrated diamonds, including the 530-carat Great Star of Africa, the largest faceted colorless diamond ever cut. It has also produced several of the rarest and most valuable blue diamonds, such as:
- The Blue Moon of Josephine (12.03 carats) – Sold for $48.4 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2015.
- The De Beers Blue (15.10 carats) – Achieved $57.4 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2022.
- The Oppenheimer Blue (14.62 carats) – Set a world auction record for a fancy vivid blue diamond, selling for $57.5 million in 2016.
With such an illustrious lineage, the Mediterranean Blue Diamond is poised to join this elite pantheon of record-breaking gemstones.
Watch: The Most Expensive Blue Diamonds in the World
A Grand Unveiling in Abu Dhabi
Before making its way to the auction stage, the Mediterranean Blue Diamond will be unveiled on April 8 at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation in Abu Dhabi. This marks Sotheby’s first public exhibition in Abu Dhabi since 2009, and the chosen venue—a dune-shaped architectural marvel on Saadiyat Island—adds to the grandeur of the occasion.
Saadiyat Island is home to some of the world’s most prestigious cultural landmarks, including Le Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Museum, making it a fitting backdrop for a diamond of this prestige.
While more details about the unveiling are set to be revealed in the coming weeks, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
The Mediterranean Blue Diamond: A Jewel Destined to Break Records
As May 13 approaches, all eyes will be on Sotheby’s Geneva to see whether the Mediterranean Blue Diamond will set a new record in the world of fancy vivid blue diamonds. With its exquisite color, impeccable provenance, and legendary origins, this gem stands as a testament to nature’s rarest artistry—a true prize for the world’s most discerning collectors.
Will the Mediterranean Blue Diamond join the ranks of the world’s most expensive diamonds? Only time will tell!
Featured image: Sotheby’s
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