Blue Diamond May Fetch $20M
In my forty years working with precious stones, I’ve witnessed collectors go to extraordinary lengths for the right piece. But what unfolded with the Golconda Blue at Sotheby’s last week reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this industry. The diamond in question—a 25.31-carat fancy vivid blue gem with a pedigree as regal as they come—was sourced from the legendary Golconda mines in India, the same mines that produced the renowned Hope Diamond. And yet, at the last possible moment, it disappeared from the auction lineup without explanation.
The story becomes even more compelling when you consider what Golconda blue diamonds represent. These are not ordinary stones. The Golconda region has produced some of the most chemically pure diamonds in the world. Their blue hue is almost otherworldly, with a glow that seems to come from within. When I saw images of this particular stone—its cushion cut, its deep saturation, its brilliance—I immediately understood the estimated value of $35 to $50 million. This is more than a diamond; it is a piece of geological poetry, formed over billions of years.
What intrigued me most was the last-minute substitution. The Mediterranean Blue, a 10.03-carat gem, was introduced in its place. While that diamond is undeniably beautiful and did command a price of $21.5 million, it’s a different kind of rarity. To me, it’s the difference between a masterfully crafted violin and a historic Stradivarius. Both are exceptional, but only one carries the weight of legend.
The sudden withdrawal of the Golconda Blue tells me that someone recognized exactly what they had. In many cases, the world’s most extraordinary gemstones never make it to public auction. They vanish quietly into private collections, where they live on in stories shared among those who truly understand their significance. And that, in many ways, is what keeps this world of fine jewelry endlessly fascinating.
Browse Our Handpicked Selection of Diamonds:
https://www.derricojewelry.com/diamonds?carat=0.1-20
Check out more about Blue Diamonds auction pieces here:
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/christies-golconda-blue/
In my forty years working with precious stones, I’ve witnessed collectors go to extraordinary lengths for the right piece. But what unfolded with the Golconda Blue at Sotheby’s last week reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this industry. The diamond in question—a 25.31-carat fancy vivid blue gem with a pedigree as regal as they come—was sourced from the legendary Golconda mines in India, the same mines that produced the renowned Hope Diamond. And yet, at the last possible moment, it disappeared from the auction lineup without explanation.
The story becomes even more compelling when you consider what Golconda blue diamonds represent. These are not ordinary stones. The Golconda region has produced some of the most chemically pure diamonds in the world. Their blue hue is almost otherworldly, with a glow that seems to come from within. When I saw images of this particular stone—its cushion cut, its deep saturation, its brilliance—I immediately understood the estimated value of $35 to $50 million. This is more than a diamond; it is a piece of geological poetry, formed over billions of years.
What intrigued me most was the last-minute substitution. The Mediterranean Blue, a 10.03-carat gem, was introduced in its place. While that diamond is undeniably beautiful and did command a price of $21.5 million, it’s a different kind of rarity. To me, it’s the difference between a masterfully crafted violin and a historic Stradivarius. Both are exceptional, but only one carries the weight of legend.
The sudden withdrawal of the Golconda Blue tells me that someone recognized exactly what they had. In many cases, the world’s most extraordinary gemstones never make it to public auction. They vanish quietly into private collections, where they live on in stories shared among those who truly understand their significance. And that, in many ways, is what keeps this world of fine jewelry endlessly fascinating.
Browse Our Handpicked Selection of Diamonds:
https://www.derricojewelry.com/diamonds?carat=0.1-20
Check out more about Blue Diamonds auction pieces here:
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/christies-golconda-blue/