DUBAI: A large diamond nicknamed “The Rock” went on show for the primary time in Dubai on Friday forward of an public sale the place it’s anticipated to fetch over $30 million.

The 228.31-carat pear-shaped gem, which was mined and polished in South Africa greater than 20 years in the past, is the biggest white diamond ever to come back to public sale, stated Christie’s.

After making its debut on the public sale home’s Dubai department, the place it will likely be displayed from March 26-29, The Rock will journey to Taipei, New York and Geneva, the place it will likely be auctioned on Could 11.

“The Center East has all the time had such an ideal appreciation for necessary jewels and gem stones,” Rahul Kadakia, worldwide head of jewelry at Christie’s, advised AFP.

“We thought it could be good for us to launch the diamond in an space the place there are such a lot of nice collectors for necessary gems of this nature.” The diamond is the “largest present D-Z color pear-shaped diamond ever graded” by the Gemological Institute of America, Christie’s stated in an announcement, including it’s “G color, VS1 readability”.

“It’s the largest white diamond ever bought at public sale, it’s going to in all probability obtain over 30 million {dollars},” stated Julian Brunie, Christie’s worldwide head of jewelry non-public gross sales.

“We’ve seen plenty of demand within the area in the previous few years… the UAE and the Gulf space has all the time been a key marketplace for the distinctive items.” The earlier public sale document for the biggest colourless diamond was a 163.41 carat sparkler which bought in November 2017 for $33.7 million, Christie’s stated.

Sotheby’s in London final month bought “The Enigma” — the biggest lower black diamond ever to come back to public sale, at 555.55 carats — for $4.3 million.