The largest white diamond is set to be auctioned in Geneva next week, as part of a sale conducted by Christie's that includes two gemstones, each weighing over 200 carats. Christie's announced that the diamond, famously known as "The Rock," is pear-shaped and approximately the size of a golf ball, weighing 228.31 carats, and is expected to sell for around $30 million. Max Fawcett, director of Christie's jewelry department in Geneva, stated: "Often with these large stones, some shape is sacrificed to maintain weight." He added that this diamond has a "perfectly symmetrical pear shape and is one of the rarest gemstones ever to be auctioned."
Global diamond prices have rebounded due to sanctions imposed on Russia, the main producer, as well as the return of events attended by high-profile individuals following the lifting of restrictions that were in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The diamond "The Rock" was mined and polished in South Africa, and the previous record for a white diamond at auction was a gem weighing 163.41 carats sold in 2017. Christie's is also selling a yellow gem weighing 205.07 carats in a cushion shape known as the "Red Cross Diamond," with a portion of the auction's proceeds designated for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva.
