２２８．３１カラットの巨大ホワイトダイヤ、競売へ

【ＡＦＰ＝時事】英競売大手クリスティーズは２５日、２２８．３１カラットの巨大なホワイトダイヤモンド「ザ・ロック」をアラブ首長国連邦（ＵＡＥ）のドバイで公開した。落札価格は３０００万ドル（約３６億６０００万円）を超えると予想されている。（写真は競売大手クリスティーズがアラブ首長国連邦（ＵＡＥ）のドバイで公開したホワイトダイヤモンド「ザ・ロック」）
　クリスティーズによれば、ペアー（洋なし）形にカットされているザ・ロックは、競売に出品されるホワイトダイヤモンドとしては過去最大。
　今月２９日までクリスティーズのドバイ支店で展示された後、台湾・台北、米ニューヨークを巡回し、スイス・ジュネーブで５月１１日に競売にかけられる。
　クリスティーズによると、カラーレス（無色）の大型ダイヤモンドの史上最高落札価格は、２０１７年１１月に１６３．４１カラットのものがつけた３３７０万ドル。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2022/03/28-10:07）

A giant diamond nicknamed The Rock went on display for the first time in Dubai on Friday ahead of an auction where it is expected to fetch over $30 million.
The 228.31-carat pear-shaped gem, which was mined and polished in South Africa more than 20 years ago, is the largest white diamond ever to come to auction, said Christie's.
After making its debut at the auction house's Dubai branch, where it will be displayed from March 26-29, The Rock will travel to Taipei, New York and Geneva, where it will be auctioned on May 11.
The Middle East has always had such a great appreciation for important jewels and gemstones, Rahul Kadakia, international head of jewellery at Christie's, told AFP.
We thought it would be nice for us to launch the diamond in an area where there are so many great collectors for important gems of this nature.
The diamond is the largest existing D-Z colour pear-shaped diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America, Christie's said in a statement, adding it is G colour, VS1 clarity.
It's the biggest white diamond ever sold at auction, it will probably achieve over 30 million dollars, said Julian Brunie, Christie's international head of jewellery private sales.
We have seen a lot of demand in the region in the last few years... the UAE and the Gulf area has always been a key market for the unique pieces.
The previous auction record for the largest colourless diamond was a 163.41 carat sparkler which sold in November 2017 for $33.7 million, Christie's said.
Sotheby's in London last month sold The Enigma -- the largest cut black diamond ever to come to auction, at 555.55 carats -- for $4.3 million.