The Infinite Blue Diamond Gleams at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong

Sotheby’s is selling the Infinite Blue, a fancy vivid blue diamond, in a solo auction in Hong Kong on October 5. The radiant-cut diamond weighs in at 11.28 carats, and Sotheby’s is describing the stone as “magnificent” and “important.” The diamond was discovered at the Premier Mine in Cullinan, South Africa—the same mine where the famed Cullinan Diamond was found over a century ago.

The diamond is being sold in a special ring setting made of white and pink gold. The Infinite Blue is nestled in a cluster of brilliant-cut diamonds, which Sotheby’s describes as having a “pink tint.” With the auction taking place in Hong Kong, the diamond has been shaped specifically to appeal to potential consumers in Asia. Sotheby’s explains in the online auction catalogue that the Infinite Blue was “faceted and polished with the inclusion of the number 8 in mind. Well-regarded as an embodiment of prosperity and auspiciousness in Asia, the form of the numerical digit is reminiscent to the universal symbol for infinity.”

Here’s a look at the sheer size of the diamond in its ring setting, showcased on a model. It’s quite the knuckle duster!

The catalogue emphasizes the rarity of the diamond—both the natural forces that had to come together to create the stone, and the talent used by the artisans who shaped it after its discovery. “From its creation millions of years ago to its fashioning by a master diamond cutter, the Infinite Blue has experienced an enchanted journey. To say the Infinite Blue is special cannot be overstated,” the catalogue notes.

The Infinite Blue will be sold in a live auction on Thursday, October 5. The estimate for the gemstone is sky high: 208,000,000-288,000,000 Hong Kong dollars, or approximately $26.5 million-36.8 million USD. Last year, Sotheby’s sold the 15.10-carat De Beers Blue Diamond, another fancy vivid blue diamond also sourced from the same mine, for about $57.6 million USD in a Hong Kong auction, so it certainly seems like the quoted estimate is realistic. If any of you magpies decide to splash out thirty million bucks for a diamond, be sure to grant me the first interview after your purchase!