‘Red Cross Diamond’ Heads To Auction After Nearly Half A Century

A global symbol of altruism, The Red Cross Diamond is going under the hammer at Christie’s for only the third time in over 100 years.

The 205.07-carat, cushion-shaped yellow diamond, which was first found in 1901 in a De Beers South African mine, ranks among the largest diamonds in the world, with its special feature being the pavilion in the shape of a Maltese cross.

“This is the third time in over 100 years for Christie’s to present this extraordinary canary yellow diamond of 205.07 carats. This is a very special bond and tremendous honor,” said François Curiel, Chairman of Christie’s Europe.

“Part of the proceeds of the sale will benefit the International Committee of the Red Cross, for a cause that is even more poignant in the midst of current events,” he added.

According to Christie’s, the valuable gem fetched £10,000 (approximately £600,000+ or US$780,000+ today) at its first auction in April 1918, when it was offered for sale in aid of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St John.

It then went up for auction 55 years later in 1973, raking in an astounding CHF 1.8 million (US$1.9 million) from a private collector.

Soon, the diamond will reappear once more at Christie’s jewel sale on May 11. Though if you’re looking for something fancier, you could go for this single white diamond worth an estimated US$30 million instead.

[via Barrons and Christie’s, cover image via Christie’s]