Describing the diamond as “exceptionally rare,” Sotheby’s added that only five gems over 10 carats have ever appeared at auction. None have ever been over 15 carats, “making the appearance of this flawless gem a landmark event in itself.”
The rare diamond was found in the Cullinan mine, South Africa, in 2021, and has attained the highest rankings, according to the standards that colored diamonds are judged by.
It was categorized as “fancy vivid blue” by the GIA — the highest possible color grading, which has been awarded to no more than 1% of blue diamonds submitted to the organization.
![The gem is the biggest vivid blue diamond to come to auction, according to Sotheby's.](https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/e_blur:500,q_auto:low,w_50,c_fit/http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.cnn.com%2Fcnnnext%2Fdam%2Fassets%2F220216035118-01-cullinan-blue-diamond.jpg)
The gem is the biggest vivid blue diamond to come to auction, according to Sotheby’s. Credit: Sotheby’s/De Beers/Diacore
“Blue diamonds of any kind are rare on the market, but this is the rarest of the rare; nothing of remotely similar calibre has appeared at auction in recent years,” Patti Wong, chairman of Sotheby’s Asia, said in the press statement.
“Hundreds of millions of years in the making, this extraordinary blue diamond is surely one of nature’s finest creations. Now brought to dazzling life by the hand of one of the world’s most skillful cutters, it is the ultimate masterpiece — as rare and desirable as the very greatest works of art.
“At a time of unprecedented demand for the finest, world-class, coloured diamonds, we are incredibly excited to bring to the market what is sure to become one of the most celebrated gems in the world.”
Blue diamonds are coveted due to their rarity and striking coloring, the press statement said.
“The De Beers Cullinan Blue” is scheduled to go up for auction in a standalone event at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Luxury Week in late April.