Blue diamonds are the most elusive gemstones in the world. As a rare Bulgari Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ring is offered for sale at Christie’s in New York on 5 December, we investigate these natural wonders of the super-deep
So rare are blue diamonds that
when
a blue diamond ring designed by Graff jewellers came
up at auction at Christie’s in New York last year it realised
$12.5 million. Why they attract such remarkable prices is
because they remain one of the Earth’s deepest secrets.
According to geologists, these wonders of the natural world
were formed in the hot layer between the earth’s crust and
its core, at depths reaching 400 miles, over 500 million
years ago.
Chances are, if you own a blue diamond, you are in possession
of something that is one billion years old. Scientists have discovered that they develop their brilliant blue colour from the mineral boron, which is found in the
ocean.
On 5 December in New York, an 8.08 carat cushion-cut FancyVivid Blue diamond mounted as a ring by Bulgari will be offered
in the
Magnificent Jewels sale (estimate: $13,000,000-18,000,000). Described as a ‘miracle of nature’,
it is a rare masterpiece by the luxury Italian jewellers, and may be counted among the finest blue diamonds ever to have come to market.