A stunning pink diamond could sell for more than $21 million when it goes under the hammer in October, auctioneers Sotheby’s said on Wednesday.
The dazzling Williamson Pink Star, described as one of the world's purest, is going on a world tour to build up interest in the sale ― taking in Dubai, Singapore, Taipei and Hong Kong where the auction will take place.
Kristian Spofforth, head of jewellery at Sotheby's, said pink diamonds are "exceptionally rare in nature".
"You then add in the extra factors like it being over 10 carats, internally flawless and Type IIa, and you get right down to the pinnacle," he said, referring to a subgroup of the most chemically pure diamonds.
At 11.15 carats, the cushion-shaped gem is named in tribute to two other pink diamonds.
One is the Williamson stone — a 23.60-carat diamond given to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift by Canadian geologist John Thorburn Williamson. Worn by the monarch in a Cartier brooch, it was discovered in his mine in Tanzania.
The other is the CTF Pink Star, a 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut diamond, which sold for a record $71.2 million at auction in 2017.
The Williamson Pink Star also originates from the same Tanzanian mine.
Top quality coloured stones are prized by the super wealthy and Mr Spofforth said he expected many bids for the gem when it is offered for sale in a standalone auction on October 5.
"We saw over the lockdown crisis and the Covid crisis that there is always demand for the rare and the beautiful in the world, and this is something exceptionally rare that I think will have plenty of bidders on the day," he said.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
