Sotheby’s to Auction “Perfect” 100-Carat Emerald Cut Diamond

Sotheby’s announced that they will be offering a “perfect” 100-carat classic emerald cut diamond in their New York Magnificent Jewels sale this April. The D, IF diamond, recently named the “Ultimate Emerald-Cut Diamond”, is expected to fetch between $19 million to $25 million.

The impressive stone is the largest classic emerald-cut diamond of the highest color and clarity to come to auction, according to Sotheby’s. Over a year was spent cutting and polishing the diamond to its perfect state. Mined in southern Africa by De Beers, the diamond was born from rough which weighed over 200 carats.

In the last 25 years, only five “perfect” diamonds weighing over 100 carats have sold at auction. Most recently, a 118-carat oval-cut diamond set a new record for a white diamond when it sold for $30.6 million, or $259,385 a carat, at Sotheby’s in 2013. One other perfect diamond over 100-carats, the Winston Legacy at 101.73 carats, sold at Christie’s in 2013 for $26.7 million, or $254,400 per carat. “This 100.20 carat diamond is the definition of perfection. The color is whiter than white, it is free of any internal imperfections, and so transparent that I can only compare it to a pool of icy water,” said Gary Schuler, head of Sotheby’s Jewelry department in New York in a press release.