Geneva–The largest D color flawless diamond ever offered at auction will go up on the block this spring at Christie’s Geneva sale of Magnificent Jewels, scheduled for May 15.

The 101.73-carat pear-shaped diamond is one of the largest pear-shaped stones discovered to date, and also is one of the most perfect, graded by the Gemological Institute of America as a D color, type IIA flawless stone.

Offered for sale for the first time, the diamond’s pre-sale estimate is “in the region of $20 million,” Christie’s said.

“A perfect diamond is the result of the skill and vision of a master cutter who is able to uncover beauty from a rough gem. This diamond is in its scale, quality and rarity one of the most beautiful ‘white’ diamonds Christie’s has ever had the honor of offering for sale,” said Rahul Kadakia, head of jewelry for Christie’s Switzerland and Americas.

The buyer of the diamond will have the privilege of establishing their legacy by naming the gem, after which the diamond will join the ranks of the world’s most illustrious and famous diamonds, “opening a new chapter in jewelry history” Christie’s said.

The Cullinan I, a 530.20-carat colorless, type IIA gem that is part of the British Crown Jewels, currently is probably the most well-known pear-shaped diamond in the world. It also ranks as the largest known colorless diamond.

Fine gemstones have experienced a surge in demand at auction over the past few years, Christie’s said, with the auction house holding multiple world auction records for valuable colorless diamonds, including the $21.5 million sale of the Archduke Joseph Diamond in November.

The 101.73-carat diamond will go on an international tour prior to the May 15 auction. It will be at Christie’s New York from April 13 to 16; Christie’s Hong Kong from April 26 to 27; and Christie’s Geneva from May 10 to 15.

Source: National Jeweler