Botswana has been in the news in recent weeks for an astonishingly large diamond find in one of its mines. But the nation’s diamond industry is also producing slightly more modest stones, including this fascinating pair of twin diamonds set to be sold this month at Sotheby’s.
On Monday, Sotheby’s opened bidding in Hong Kong on a pair of unmounted round brilliant diamonds. It’s not uncommon to see diamonds sold as pairs, usually set in earrings, but these diamonds are unusual because they are nearly exact twins: 18.38-carat flawless diamonds produced using modern computerized cutting techniques so that they are essentially identical.
The diamonds were mined in Botswana. Sotheby’s has emphasized the fact that the purchaser of these stones will be able to trace the precise path that they took from the moment when they were discovered as rough stones in the mine to the minute that they are auctioned in Hong Kong. The auction house explains, “Using the latest technology, a rough diamond is photographed and its journey is mapped and electronically documented from the moment it is discovered in the mine, through the cutting and polishing process, right to the moment it returns from the GIA with its certificate, ready to be sold and set in a piece of jewellery. Never before has such a level of transparency been present.”
Sotheby’s explains that the government of Botswana has positioned itself to be part of this cutting-edge process, including the way that the proceeds from the industry are documented and deployed. “As far back as 2011, the Botswanan government introduced a fiscal rule stating that no less than 40% of all revenues made from the export of its minerals would be saved for future generations, while the remainder would be allocated to be invested in the country’s infrastructure, education, healthcare and social security,” the auction notes state, adding, “Diamond mining accounts for approximately 20% of Botswana’s GDP, while the cutting, polishing and trading adds around another 5%.”
This image from the auction house demonstrates the size of the pair of gems. Each diamond is similar in size to one of the Cullinans: the 18.8-carat Cullinan V Diamond, which is set in the middle of an iconic heart-shaped brooch, worn by Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth II, and now Queen Camilla.
Here’s another look at the diamonds from the auction website. Sotheby’s enthuses that the pair of stones are “a breathtaking testament to nature’s artistry,” adding, “Each stone began its journey deep within ancient rocks and was forged through millennia of pressure and heat. Carefully extracted by skilled miners, these diamonds were meticulously cut to enhance their dazzling brilliance, reflecting light like captured stars.”
And here’s a view of the stones from the size, emphasizing the almost-identical size and shape of the two stones. The diamonds are being sold without mountings, which Sotheby’s is presenting as an opportunity for the potential buyer: “The diamonds, each boasting a substantial size, together promise a bold, statement look that is sure to turn heads. Not yet mounted, they offer discerning purchasers the chance to choose a bespoke setting that perfectly reflects their personal style. Sotheby’s can connect the buyer with top designers to craft a unique mounting, ensuring these exquisite stones become true symbols of luxury and elegance.”
Bidding on the diamonds will continue until September 27. The gemstones, which are being sold without a buyer’s premium (i.e., the charges tacked on to the hammer price, usually covering auction costs and fees), are expected to bring between 30,500,000-40,500,000 HKD, which is approximately $3.9 million-5.2 million USD. What do you think? These stones are really too big to be made into a pair of earrings, so how would you have them set if you were lucky enough to have them in your collection?
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.