$20 mn blue diamond goes on show in Abu Dhabi / Photo: Giuseppe CACACE - AFP
-
SFWJ / Medcana Announces Strategic Expansion Into Australia With Acquisition of Cannabis Import and Distribution Licenses
-
US officials split on Ukraine truce prospects
-
Client brain-dead after Paris cryotherapy session goes wrong
-
Flick demands answers from La Liga for 'joke' schedule
-
'Maddest game' sums up Man Utd career for Maguire
-
Trial opens for students, journalists over Istanbul protests
-
Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 24 after Hamas rejects truce proposal
-
'Really stuck': Ukraine's EU accession drive stumbles
-
'Not the time to discuss future', says Alonso amid Real Madrid links
-
74 killed in deadliest US attack on Yemen, Huthis say
-
Southgate's ex-assistant Holland fired by Japan's Yokohama
-
Vance meets Meloni in Rome before Easter at the Vatican
-
Ryan Gosling to star in new 'Star Wars' film
-
Hamas calls for pressure to end Israel's aid block on Gaza
-
Russia says Ukraine energy truce over, US mulls peace talks exit
-
58 killed in deadliest US strike on Yemen, Huthis say
-
Museums rethink how the Holocaust should be shown
-
Three dead after deadly spring storm wreaks havoc in the Alps
-
No need for big changes at Liverpool, says Slot
-
Bloody Philippine passion play sees final performance of veteran 'Jesus'
-
New US envoy prays, delivers Trump 'peace' message at Western Wall
-
Postecoglou sticking around 'a little longer' as Spurs show fight in Frankfurt
-
US threatens to withdraw from Ukraine talks if no progress
-
Tears and defiance in Sumy as Russia batters Ukraine border city
-
Russia rains missiles on Ukraine as US mulls ending truce efforts
-
Tokyo leads gains in most Asian markets on trade deal hopes
-
Two missing after deadly spring snowstorm wreaks havoc in the Alps
-
'War has taken everything': AFP reporter returns home to Khartoum
-
US strikes on Yemen fuel port kill 38, Huthis say
-
Slegers targets Lyon scalp in pursuit of Arsenal European glory
-
'Defend ourselves': Refugee girls in Kenya find strength in taekwondo
-
China's manufacturing backbone feels Trump trade war pinch
-
Sri Lankans throng to Kandy for rare display of Buddhist relic
-
Chinese vent anger at Trump's trade war with memes, mockery
-
Heartbroken Brits abandon pets as living costs bite
-
Mongolian LGBTQ youth fight for recognition through music, comedy
-
Cash crunch leaves Syrians queueing for hours to collect salaries
-
Lyon left to regroup for Champions League bid after painful European exit
-
Unravelling Real Madrid face Athletic Bilbao Liga test
-
Napoli disturbing buoyant Inter's peace in Serie A Easter bonanza
-
Disappointed Dortmund chase consistency with Europe at stake
-
Asian markets mixed as traders track tariff talks
-
Yan and Buhai share lead at LA Championship
-
Under fire at debate, Canada PM Carney tries to focus on Trump
-
Liverpool poised for Premier League coronation, Leicester, Ipswich for relegation
-
India's elephant warning system tackles deadly conflict
-
US senator meets wrongfully deported Salvadoran migrant
-
Gustavo Dudamel: the superstar conductor building bridges to pop
-
Japan rice prices soar as core inflation accelerates
-
US unveils new port fees for Chinese-linked ships
$20 mn blue diamond goes on show in Abu Dhabi
A rare blue diamond valued at $20 million went on pre-auction display on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, capital of the oil-rich United Arab Emirates.
The 10-carat Mediterranean Blue, which will go on sale in Geneva next month, is the showpiece of a collection estimated at $100 million, organisers said.
"Included in the group are the largest flawless diamond in the world... the second largest red diamond known to exist and several diamonds over 100 carats," Sotheby's auction house said in a statement.
The chiseled stones were on display next to lavish jewellery, including a white-diamond encrusted necklace featuring a 100.26-carat pear-shaped brown diamond pendant.
The blue diamond will be showcased in Taipei, Hong Kong and New York before its exhibition and sale in Geneva in mid-May.
"At the top of the rarity pyramid are blue diamonds," said Quig Bruning, head of jewels for Sotheby's in North America, Europe and the Middle East.
"The Gulf is, in my mind, the core of where the luxury market is headed," he added.
The resource-rich, largely tax-free Gulf, including the UAE's trade and tourism hub Dubai, has long been a magnet for high-net-worth individuals and the ultra-wealthy.
A.Moore--AT