Sotheby’s announces new auction of De Beers Exceptional Blue Diamonds – Collection expected to fetch over $85 million (US)

After the recent record setting price breaker auction of the Williamson Pink Star, Sotheby’s now announces that they will soon auction eight blue diamonds sourced from the De Beers Group, with the De Beers Exceptional Blue collection expected to fetch more than $US85 million.
The diamonds come from the Cullinan Mine in South Africa and vary in shape and size, ranging from a 1.2-carat oval shape to an 11.29-carat step-cut. Together, the entire collection weighs more than 32 carats. Four of the diamonds are graded as fancy vivid, the highest of all colour gradings, and the De Beers Exceptional 3.24-carat diamond is internally flawless.
The first of the eight stones to be auctioned will be a 5.53-carat diamond, appearing at the Sotheby’s Magnificent and Nobles Jewels auction in Geneva on 9 November. Two more blue diamonds will feature at the Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on 7 December.
South African Diamonds represent over 2.6 million carats ($311 USD) in Antwerp diamond imports per year with both parties playing pivotal roles in the development of the KP.

Photo Credit: Sotheby's, HK