Sakura diamond sets record as the largest ever to be auctioned, selling for over $29 million

Team Udayavani, May 26, 2021, 3:09 PM IST

A 15.81 carat Sakura diamond, the largest of its kind has broken records selling for $29.3 million (Rs 213 crore). It became the most expensive purple-pink diamond ever sold at auction.

The rare diamond went under the hammer at Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels Live Auction on May 23.

The stone is set on a platinum and gold ring. It has been named ‘The Sakura’ after the Japanese word for cherry blossom.

What makes the diamond different is its exceptional rarity, extraordinary optical transparency, brilliant colour, and enormous size.

According to auction house Christie’s, the Sakura’ was bought by an Asian private buyer.

The Sakura Diamond, the largest diamond of its kind to go under the hammer, fetched a record $29.3 million at an auction in Hong Kong pic.twitter.com/L6W3wnXdIz

— Reuters (@Reuters) May 25, 2021

In a statement, Christie’s said, “We are very excited to have marked another important chapter in jewelry auction history today with The Sakura realizing a record-breaking price … continuing Christie’s tradition of offering the finest pink diamonds at auction.”

The statement further added, “As fewer than 10 percent of pink diamonds weigh more than one-fifth of a carat, this fancy vivid purple-pink diamond is of an unprecedented size of 15.81 carats, which is the largest of its kind (Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink) to be offered at an auction.”

Being classed as fancy vivid because of its depth of color and internally flawless, any blemishes on the diamond are only visible under a powerful microscope.

The auction house said, “This magnificent gem is graded ‘fancy vivid’ for its perfect display of strong saturation and remarkable pink hue with a secondary color of purple, resembling the fascinating color of cherry blossoms — appropriately coinciding with spring.”

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.