A unique natural vivid blue heart shaped diamond will be one of the highlights of an auction of exceptional gems and jewelry by Tzoffey's 1818 to be held during the March 17-20 US/International Diamond Week at the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE).
It is possible the 1.93-carat diamond will sell for more than US$1 million per carat if sales held by Sotheby's last year are an indication.
"Natural blue diamonds are without doubt among the most rare and most expensive of natural color diamonds," said Avner Sofiov, owner of the French-Israeli auction house Tzoffey's. He recalled that the last two blue diamonds sold by Sotheby's recorded very high prices.
"In May 2012, a marquise-shaped blue diamond weighing 2.07 carats sold for US$1.85 million, and last November a briolette-cut stone of 10.48 carats sold for more than US$1 million per carat. The quality of the 1.93-carat heart-shape gem is higher than the stones sold by Sotheby's, and I am very much looking forward to seeing the price paid for it," he added.
The blue diamond, together with hundreds of other, high-quality gemstones and jewelry pieces, can be viewed from March 17 to 20 in a special viewing area next to the trading hall of the Israel Diamond Exchange. Bids are to be submitted in closed envelopes. The exact time of the auction's conclusion and its results will be announced shortly.
In addition to the Tzoffey's auction, I Hennig/ Fusion Alternatives, and the Rapaport Company will hold two auctions of polished diamonds. They are being held in addition to rough diamond tenders organized by I Hennig/Fusion Alternatives and eDiamond.