De Beers and Sotheby’s to Auction Never-Before-Seen “Jwaneng 28.88” Diamond
The flawless diamond from the Jwaneng mines in Botswana is expected to sell for up to $2.8 million
Few slogans set the heart aflutter with meaning quite like De Beers’s famous “A diamond is forever,” which has been with the revered company for 79 years of its 100-year history. To celebrate their century mark, De Beers is releasing a stunning oversize art book, A Diamond Is Forever—The Making of a Cultural Icon. And to cap it off, De Beers and Sotheby’s used the occasion of Assouline’s party in celebration of the tome’s publication to announce the sale of The Jwaneng 28.88, an internally perfect, D-color, 28.88-carat diamond from the legendary Jwaneng Mine in Botswana.
De Beers’s team of master craftsmen meticulously cut The Jwaneng 28.88 from a rough stone of 114.83 carats into a stunning round brilliant cut. The diamond will be auctioned off in Sotheby’s Hong Kong High Jewelry sale on April 23, with a presale estimate of $2.2–2.8 million.
The book release party included an exhibition on the relationship between diamonds and art. Curated by Sophie Oppenheimer, it featured artwork and examples of how past generations advertised diamonds. De Beers also offered attendees a mini-course on the history of humanity’s ongoing love affair with diamond jewelry and how the gemstones are brought from the earth to your pretty gift box. The learning experience culminated in the reveal of The Jwaneng 28.88.
Quig Bruning, Sotheby’s Head of Jewels Americas and EMEA, reflected, “The Jwaneng 28.88 is a perfect emblem of De Beers’ unmatched legacy in diamonds. It’s at once a vanishingly rare feat of nature, combined with a masterclass in diamond cutting and polishing. Natural diamonds truly are forever, and I cannot think of a better stone to symbolize this special collaboration.” The sale is a highlight of Sotheby’s Hong Kong Luxury Week sales and will feature other gorgeous diamonds from the Jwaneng mine.
