They sell the largest white diamond in history for less than they thought

The famous 228.31 carat white diamond known as “The rock” was sold on Wednesday at an auction in Switzerland that was expected to be historic, but lacked a record in its category, earning nearly 21 million euros (about $ 23 million), including commissions.

At auction, in turn, a gem known as “The Red Cross Diamond” the fame of the day was stolen, especially since a portion of the proceeds would be allocated to the International Committee of the organization at the time the war in ukraine shock Europe.

This yellow diamond is intended for humanitarian aid and that reflection remembers the Maltese cross It was coveted by some buyers during an auction that lasted ten minutes and ended with its award for 13.5 million euros, more than expected.

Prior to the auction it was estimated that “The Rock” would fetch a price of between 19 and 28 million euros, nearly 30 million dollars.

Eventually, Christie’s auctioneer Rahul Kadakia lowered his hammer on a hotel in Geneva minutes later, awarding it to a price of 20.7 million euros, including commission. Kadakia explained to the AFP agency that he had not failed since the jewel established a “new record price per carat for a G color diamond”a rating on the color scale from D to Z.

The sale of the diamond generated great expectations, which were ultimately not fulfilled. Last week, Max Fawcett, head of Christie’s jewelry department, explained that the pear-shaped diamond is “exquisite” and the gem is “perfectly symmetrical”.

“The rock” measuring 3.1 centimeters wide and 5.4 inches long and its dimensions exceed the dimensions of a golf ball. The diamond weighing 61.3 grams was mined in South Africa in the early 2000s. Christie’s later sold it as part of a direct sale to a private collector. .

The last record held by Christie’s for a similar white diamond (163.41 carats) was $ 33.7 million on a sale in November 2017, also in Geneva.

At auction the so -called “Red Cross Diamond” This created anger in the room. The canary yellow piece cushion shape is 205.07 carats. The original gem was mined in 1901 in a South African mine owned by the De Beers company and would have weighed about 375 carats, according to Christie’s.

Classified as one of the largest diamonds in the world, it has distinctive characteristics glows in the shape of a Maltese cross.On April 10, 1918, the stone was first placed for sale at Christie’s in London by the Diamond Syndicate, for the benefit of the British Red Cross and of the Order of Saint John (known as the Order of Malta).

At the time, the diamond was bought for £ 10,000 (approximately £ 600,000 today) by the famous London jeweler SJ Phillips. On November 21, 1973was resold at Christie’s in Geneva, for 1.8 million Swiss francs (1.9 million dollars). Again, part of the proceeds from the sale of this diamond will go to Red Cross humanitarian activities, according to Christie’s statement.