The 22.09-carat cushion-cut stone’s name, the “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond,” reflects its journey.
The diamond was mined at the Kimberley Mine in South Africa.
Family-owned British luxury jeweler Pragnell set it in a platinum ring with tapered shoulders and three graduating rows of French- and carré-cut diamonds. The prongs are 18-karat yellow gold, often used with yellow diamonds to intensify their color.
The ring is being sold alongside its GIA Natural Colored Diamond Report, Pragnell boxes, a certificate of origin, and the original hand-drawn rendering of its design.
“At more than 22 carats, this diamond’s size alone is extraordinary but combine that with its beautiful fancy yellow color, internally flawless clarity, documented Kimberley origin, and exceptional Pragnell craftsmanship, and you have a jewel that is remarkable on every level,” said Jill Burgum, Heritage Auctions’ executive director of fine jewelry.
The ‘Sunshine’ diamond is estimated to sell for $200,000 to $250,000 and is expected to be the top lot of Hertiage’s Fall Fine Jewelry Signature Auction.
The sale features several other yellow diamonds in addition to the “Sunshine,” including two from well-known jewelry houses.
A 14.11-carat fancy yellow diamond is flanked by triangular-shaped white diamonds weighing a total of 4.33 carats in a platinum ring with 18-karat yellow gold prongs by Oscar Heyman. Its pre-sale estimate is $100,000 to $150,000.
There is also a smaller (5.76 carats) cut-cornered, square-shaped fancy yellow diamond set in a platinum ring with calibré-cut diamonds by Tiffany & Co. It is expected to sell for $50,000 to $70,000.
Other lots of interest include a suite of coral, blue enamel, and diamond jewelry from the Victorian era (1837-1901), expected to sell for $5,000 to $7,000, and a 22.06-carat round brilliant-cut diamond set on a thick, 14-karat yellow gold curb chain.
Expected to sell for $80,000 to $120,000, the necklace was the property of a “prominent Southwestern collector.”
The sale also includes a selection of blue Ceylon sapphires, a yellow Ceylon sapphire ring, a Cartier star sapphire ring, and a 1.99-carat oval-shaped Padparadscha sapphire set in an 18-karat white gold ring featuring marquise-, pear-, and full-cut diamonds.
The auction is scheduled for Sept. 28 in Dallas.
Online bidding is open now.
To see additional lots and bid, visit the Heritage Auctions website.
