The largest diamond in the Diavik Stars of the Arctic Tender– the ‘Vega of the Arctic’, a 177.7-carat rough– will be available for viewing around the world before bids close on 25 October.
It is the most valuable gem quality rough diamond ever produced in Canada, according to Rio Tinto.
The other rough diamonds– the ‘Altair of the Arctic’ and ‘Capella of the Arctic’–are a 59-carat white rough stone and a 28.8-carat yellow diamond respectively.
Diavik Diamond Mines president and CEO Patrick Boitumelo said: “Diavik diamonds are more than two billion years old and it has taken 15 years of production to unearth these extraordinary diamonds, underscoring the ongoing importance of the Diavik ore body in the context of the global diamond industry.”
The mine, owned by Rio Tinto in partnership with Dominion Diamond Mines which has a 40 per cent stake, began production in 2003, moving completely into underground operations in 2012. The site yields gem quality diamonds and produces on average only five yellow diamonds like the Capella of the Arctic every year.
Other diamond sales
A 5-carat blue diamond was sold at a Sotheby’s auction earlier this month for US$13.8 million (AU$19.4 m).
The step-cut ‘Ai’ diamond – named after the Chinese word for love – was set in an 18-carat white gold ring shouldered by white baguette diamonds and led the Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite jewellery sale, which totalled US$40.2 million (AU$56.5 m).
Another blue diamond was the second-best sale of the event, with the 3.37-carat pear-shaped ring sold for US$3.1 million (AU$4.3 m).
More reading:
Rio Tinto unveils largest pink diamond
Pink diamond to break Christie’s records
‘Magnificent’ $26 million blue diamond highlight of auction
Royal, ‘secret’ blue diamond unveiled
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