Bleu Royal, 17.6 Ct. Fancy Vivid Gem Could Fetch $50 Million

Christie’s Geneva will auction the Bleu Royal, which, at 17.61 carats, it calls the “largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond to appear at auction.”

The pear-shape gem, which has been part of a private collection for 50 years, carries a $35 million to $50 million estimate. It will be sold as part of a ring.

Blue diamonds have had mixed results at auction lately, but Christie’s insists this particular gem is special. The auction house notes that in its over-250-year history, it has sold only three fancy vivid blue diamonds over 10 carats, and all achieved top prices: The 10.95 ct. Bulgari Blue sold for $15.7 million in 2010, the 13.22 ct. Winston Blue sold for $23.8 million in 2014, and the 14.62 ct. Oppenheimer Blue sold for $57.5 million in 2016.

The Bleu Royal “is a true miracle of nature,” said Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s international head of jewelry, in a statement. “We are proud to offer collectors the opportunity to own a diamond fit for royalty.”