Largest blue diamond to appear at auction

LONDON — The largest oval fancy vivid diamond ever to appear at auction is headed for sale in Hong Kong next month, where it is expected to fetch $30 million - $35 million.

An employee holds a 10.10 carat internally flawless blue diamond at Sotheby's auction house in central London, Britain March 15, 2016. The oval fancy vivid blue diamond is expected to fetch between $30-35 million at the auction house's Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite auction in Hong Kong on April 5. Photo: REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

The internally flawless blue diamond, at 10.10 carats, was mined in South Africa and is one of a collection of 11 cut by jewellers De Beers in London in 2000.

"Blue diamonds are extremely rare and when they are over 10 carats and flawless, they are quite special," Quek Chin Yeow, Sotheby's auction house Deputy Chairman for Asia said at a press event in London.

An employee disdplays a 10.10 carat internally flawless blue diamond at Sotheby's auction house in central London, Britain March 15, 2016. The oval fancy vivid blue diamond is expected to fetch between $30-35 million at the auction house's Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite auction in Hong Kong on April 5. Photo: REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

"It's also the largest oval vivid blue diamond to ever be offered at auction."

The blue diamond will lead an April 5 Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong after being exhibited in London, Geneva, New York, Singapore and Taipei. — Reuters