“Flawless” blue diamond could fetch $50 million at auction

(CNN) — The largest flawless brilliant blue diamond ever auctioned will sell for up to $50 million at Christie’s Rare Jewels sale in Geneva on November 7, the auctioneer said Thursday.

This brilliant blue diamond, known as the “Blue Royal”, set in a ring, is one of the rarest ever discovered.

“The Blue Royal is extremely rare and special because of its size. At 17.6 carats, it is the largest of its kind,” said Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s international jewelry director.

“The color is very naturally rich, and inside, it’s as good as it gets.”

In 2016, Christie’s sold a 14.6 carat blue diamond called the “Oppenheimer Blue”. Over 57 million US dollars.

“We believe he will beat Oppenheimer,” Kadagia said of “Blue Royale.”

“We have toured around the world, in Asia, America and Europe, and have generated great interest from collectors around the world.”

In a separate online auction running Nov. 3-16, Christie’s will offer a pearl necklace worn by film and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn in the final scene of the 1953 film “Roman Holiday.”

“We’ve priced between $20,000 and $30,000, so it’s very reasonable,” Gadakia said. “Everyone can be Audrey Hepburn.”

The auctioneer will also offer a Rolex watch worn by Marlon Brando in the 1979 film “Apocalypse Now,” the back of which the actor engraved his signature to prevent it from being accidentally replaced during filming.

“What makes it truly unique is that it is truly one of the most iconic Rolex pieces ever seen at auction,” said Remi Guillemin, Christie’s director of watches in Europe.

Two years ago, the watch, now worth 1 million to 2 million Swiss francs, sold at auction for 2 million Swiss francs ($2.2 million).

“Both pieces from the incredible cast are actually very rare: a Marlon Brando Rolex and an Audrey Hepburn necklace,” Guillemin said.