Design Art and Photography

Named by its new owner for his wife of 16 years, “The Shizuka Diamond” is a 101.27-carat stone mounted into a tiara for its sale at Christie’s in May 2008.

Hong Kong–The rare, 101.27-carat diamond sold at Christie’s spring 2008 Hong Kong auction is now known as “The Shizuka Diamond,” Christie’s announced on Thursday.

The giant stone’s owner selected the name as a gift for his wife of 16 years.

The Shizuka diamond netted $6.2 million at “Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale” in May 2008 and, according to the release from Christie’s, is the largest colorless diamond ever sold at auction in Asia. At the time of its sale, it was also the largest colorless diamond sold at auction worldwide in nearly 20 years.

Mounted into a tiara for the auction, the F-color Shizuka was cut from a 460-carat piece of rough and is shield-shaped with 92 facets.

According to the release, “The sale of this important gem in Hong Kong, rather than in New York or Geneva, was a testament to the vibrant Asian market and the growing number of collectors in the region.”

According to the release, Christie’s 2008 jewelry sales totaled a record $383.5 million in 2008, up from $394.7 million in 2007.

This included the December 2008 London sale of the historic Wittelsbach diamond, which dates to the 17th century.

The cushion-shaped, deep grayish-blue, 35.56-carat diamond sold for $24.3 million, making it the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction.

Christie’s auctions take place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Geneva; Hong Kong; London; New York; Paris and Milan, Italy.