When uncovered in 1934, the Jonker No.5 was the fourth-largest gem quality diamond ever found.
The Jonker No. 5 diamond is to be put on the block by auctioneer Christie’s in Hong Kong at its Spring auction on May 30.
The Jonker No. 5 diamond forms a key part of a legendary collection of diamonds from the world famous 726-carat Jonker rough stone discovered by Jacob Jonker, Christie’s said.
"When found in January 1934, it was the fourth-largest gem quality diamond ever uncovered. The stone was subsequently purchased by the Diamond Corporation Ltd., a company owned by Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. In 1935, it was purchased by Harry Winston and was displayed during the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary.
"Before the Jonker rough was cut, it was painstakingly examined for months before taking its final form of 13 exquisite polished pieces, of which the Jonker Diamond No. 5 was born as a rectangular-cut diamond of 25.27 carats."
Christie’s added that another outstanding item for sale will be an emerald and diamond ‘Palmette’ necklace.
The necklace was created by designer Edmond Chin for the House of Boghossian. "The design features a delicate repeating palmette motif with white diamonds as spacers. Great lengths and difficulty were taken to carefully amass 11 perfectly matching no oil emeralds, and marks the first time such an exclusive selection of emeralds is to be offered at auction."
