Christie's to Offer 101ct. 'Spectacle' Diamond

RAPAPORT... Christie's will sell a 100.94-carat diamond at its upcoming Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva, where it expects the stone to fetch up to $18 million.The emerald-cut, D-color, internally flawless diamond, called the Spectacle, originated from a 207.29-carat rough Alrosa unearthed in 2016 at its Zarnitsa pipe in Yakutia, Christie's said Monday. Alrosa cut the stone at its polishing facility in Moscow over the course of a year and eight months, Christie's noted. The diamond - the largest ever manufactured in Russia - will lead the May 12 auction.The Spectacle is the third D-color, 100-carat-plus diamond the auction house has sold over the past 10 years. The Winston Legacy, a 101.73-carat, D-flawless stone, went for $26.7 million in Geneva in 2013, and the 163.41-carat, D-flawless Creation I fetched $33.7 million in 2017."We are fascinated to present this long-awaited gem," said Alrosa CEO Sergey Ivanov. "A part of our The Spectacle Collection, bearing the same name, this exceptional 100.94-carat...diamond displays a breathtaking performance, which is a natural wonder revealed by human hand. Astonishing size, combined with impeccable color and quality, characteristics and flawless provenance guarantees, make the Spectacle a unique occurrence."Image: The Spectacle diamond. (Christie's)