241-carat diamond headed for auction

by Samantha Ashenhurst | February 26, 2021 12:52 pm

The largest gem-quality rough diamond mined by Alrosa in more than 20 years is set to go under the hammer in Dubai.

Bidding for the 242.31-carat diamond will start at US$2 million, Reuters reports[2]. The sale, which marks the Russian mining group’s 100^th auction of large diamonds, will also feature two diamonds weighing 190.74 and 136.21 carats each, as well as a range of notable stones larger than 10.8 carats.

“Rough diamonds, which potentially allow for cutting a diamond larger than 100 carats, are extremely rare in nature,” says Alrosa’s head of sales, Evgeny Agureev. “Even less often such gems are traded: according to the law, all rough diamonds larger than 50 carats mined in Russia undergo a state examination for redemption to the state fund. Even when it is possible to put them on sale on the market, we prefer to cut and polish the diamond in-house before. Thus, today, we are especially pleased to present this exceptional lot as part of our 100^th international auction”

The sale will take place March 22.

For a closer look at the diamond rough, check out the video below, courtesy Alrosa.

Endnotes:

[Image]: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SA_Alrosa.gif
Reuters reports: https://www.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idUSL8N2KW3AE

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