UK’s Largest White Diamond in a Decade Wins Big at Elmwood’s

A ring bearing a 26.36-carat diamond, the largest stone sold in the UK in the past 10 years, fetched just over GBP 1 million ($1.3 million) at a recent Elmwood’s auction.

The piece features a round brilliant-cut, I-color, VVS1-clarity, triple Ex diamond solitaire. The ring realized a little over its GBP 1 million high estimate, taking center stage at the March 17 Elmwood’s Fine Jewellery sale in London, the auction house said Tuesday.

“This is an extraordinarily rare stone. Its combination of impressive size, VVS1 clarity and triple excellent cut is seldom encountered on the UK market,” said Joe Kendrick, head of sale at Elmwood’s auctioneers. “Diamonds of this caliber appear perhaps once in a decade and this remarkable solitaire is a spectacular example of why the finest white diamonds continue to captivate collectors worldwide.”

The auction saw competitive bidding over the phone and online for the jewel. The previous time a similar-sized diamond went to auction was in 2017, when Sotheby’s offered 26.27-carat stone, Elmwood’s added.

Image: The 26.36-carat diamond-ring. (Elmwood’s)