Sotheby’s will auction the Blue Moon Diamond, among the largest known fancy vivid blue diamonds, at its Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale in Geneva on November 11.
The 12.03-carat Internally Flawless cushion brilliant-cut diamond is graded Fancy Vivid Blue – the highest possible color grading for blue diamonds – by the GIA.
Sotheby’s said the diamond carries a pre-sale estimate of $35 million to $55 million.
The rough stone was purchased by New York-based Cora International at a tender held by Petra Diamonds.
New York City-based Cora International is a leading luxury brand and is considered one of the world’s leading firms specializing in cutting large and important diamonds and is known for its rare and unique diamonds of large sizes and vivid fancy colors, Sotheby’s said in a statement.
Cutting and polishing the Blue Moon was a highly skilled and complex process which took over six months, Sotheby’s added.
