£40,000 FOR DIAMOND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21117, 26 February 1932, Page 6

£40,000 FOR DIAMOND.

PURCHASE IN LONDON. GEM OF RARE BEAUTY. One of the finest jewels in the world was recently sold to a woman in London for £40,000. It is a blue-white diamond weighing 50 carats, and measuring an inch in diameter.

The merchant "who sold the gem, Mr. William Ogden, stated that the diamond originally belonged to an Indian rajah. "It is one of the most beautiful stones I have ever seen," he said. "There are only a few of its perfection in existence; it may be likened in its value to a Rembrandt. There is nothing surprising in the fact that a purchaser has been found for it in London; perfect gems are so rare that they are sought after like great masterpieces of art." Mi*. Ogden said that the name of the purchaser could not be disclosed. "I can say, however," he added, "that the diamond will be seen at notable functions in London, such as the opening of Parliament. It will be worn on a chain of very small diamonds." . The diamond is 15 carats heavier than the famous Wittelsbach blue diamond, one of the crown jewels of Bavaria offered at Christie's recently, but not sold. Another particularly remarkable blue diamond is the Hope Diamond, which weighs carats and was last sold for £60.000. The Koh-i-noor, which was presented to Queen Victoria after the annexation of the Punjab, weighs 106 carats.