GIFT NDOLWANE
JOHANNESBURG  – THE Cullinan Dream has become the largest fancy intense blue diamond ever to be offered up to auction, with a value estimate of between US$23 million and $29 million.

The 24.18 carat diamond, discovered in South Africa in 2014, will be auctioned as the centrepiece of Christie’s Magnificent Jewels in New York on June 9.

Petra Diamonds announced the discovery of a 122.52 carat blue diamond from Cullinan mine, which was cut into four notably sized diamonds, of which the Cullinan Dream is the largest.

Cullinan is one of the world’s most celebrated mines for producing rare and famous diamonds – including the world’s largest rough gem diamond ever found, the 3,106 carat Cullinan diamond.

Petra Diamonds will receive a 15 percent share in the Cullinan Dream sales proceeds after expenses.

Blue diamonds are one of nature’s most special treasures. They are so rare that there are no official statistics on their recovery.

However the Cullinan mine in South Africa is known as the world’s most important source. Located at the foothills of the Magaliesberg mountain range, 37 kilometres north-east of Pretoria in South Africa, Cullinan is one of the world’s most celebrated diamond mines.