Eight fancy blue diamonds Sotheby’s calls one of the “rarest and most notable collections of colored diamonds in the world,” will be offered to the public at upcoming auctions. Collectively weighing more than 32 carats, these ‘Exceptional Blues’ are expected to bring in between $70 and $85 million.
The diamonds were cut and polished from five blue rough crystals, weighing a total of 85.6 carats, which De Beers purchased in November 2020 with partner Diacore.
Coming in November & December
Three of the Exceptional Blues will be sold in 2022. The first will be offered at the November 9 Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva; a 5.53 carat Fancy Vivid Blue cushion brilliant which is estimated to sell for between $11 – $15 million. Two more will be offered at the December 7 Magnificent Jewels auction in New York; a 3.24 carat Fancy Vivid Blue Internally Flawless cushion brilliant, estimated to sell for between $5 – $8 million, and a 2.08 carat Fancy Intense Blue cushion cut, predicted to command between $1.2 – $1.5 million.
According to Bruce Cleaver, CEO of the De Beers Group:
The magnificent De Beers Exceptional Blue Collection stands as a testament to De Beers’ unique ability to source the rarest diamonds in the world and the patience and foresight required to assemble a collection that transcends rarity and can only be called remarkable.
The Breakdown
- De Beers Exceptional Blue 11.29 is a Fancy Vivid Blue step cut, 11.29 carats (pre-sale estimate: $28 million – $50 million)
- De Beers Exceptional Blue 5.53 is a Fancy Vivid Blue cushion brilliant, 5.53 carats (pre-sale estimate: $11 million – $15 million)
- De Beers Exceptional Blue 4.13 is a Fancy Intense Blue step cut, 4.13 carats (pre-sale estimate: $2.5 million – $3.5 million)
- De Beers Exceptional Blue 3.24 is a Fancy Vivid Blue Internally Flawless cushion brilliant, 3.24 carats (pre-sale estimate: $5 million – $8 million)
- De Beers Exceptional Blue 3.10 is a Fancy Vivid Blue cushion brilliant, 3.10 carats (pre-sale estimate: $4.5 million – $5 million)
- De Beers Exceptional Blue 2.08 is a Fancy Intense Blue cushion cut, 2.08 carats (pre-sale estimate: $1.2 million – $1.5 million)
- De Beers Exceptional Blue 1.50 is a Fancy Intense Blue round brilliant, 1.50 carats (pre-sale estimate: $750,000 – $1 million)
- De Beers Exceptional Blue 1.22 is a Fancy Intense Blue oval brilliant, 1.22 carats (pre-sale estimate: $600,000 – $800,000)
Everybody Loves The Blues
Blue diamonds have a special appeal and character all their own. Like the call and response motifs which characterize blues jazz, exceptional blue diamonds seem to call out to each other in their individual but harmonious combinations of hue, tone and saturation.
