This extraordinary blue-gray diamond (on the picture above) was given to Infanta Margarita Teresa by her father King Philip IV of Spain, on her engagement to her uncle Leopold I of Austria-one of the most historic events in European history.
This girl was the portrayed in Las Meninas), the most famous painting by Spaniard Diego Velazquez. In a political move, she was engaged to Leopold I, who later became the Holy Roman Emperor, and that was when her father gave his 13-year-old daughter the diamond as part of the dowry. Sadly she died aged only 21, having given birth to four child, of which only one survived beyond childhood.

It is believed that the Wittelsbach diamond originated from the Indian diamond mines, was passed into the Austrian and then Bavarian crown jewels, and was finally sold into private hands in 1931. It makes part of the current private collection since 1964.

According to a Christie’s spokesman said “no examples” of coloured diamonds comparable to the Wittelsbach have been put up in an auction before.
“Blue diamonds are rare and to offer a blue diamond of this size, quality, shape and provenance is truly extraordinary.” Actually, the nearest comparable coloured diamond sold at Christie’s was one just a third of the size, a 13.39 carat intense blue diamond that fetched £5.5 million ($8.9 million) in May.

In addition, “the appearance of a large blue diamond, among the rarest of colours, with a history that can be traced back to the 17th century and 300 years of royal connections will surely be a thrilling occasion for all collectors of exceedingly rare jewels and works of art.”

The Wittelsbach diamond is the star lot in Christie’s auction Jewels: According to estimates, the 35.56-carat gem, almost once inch in width, with a 300-year-old royal history, could raise up to 10million pounds ($16 million) when it goes under the hammer on December 10.

It is on public display at the auction house in King Street, St James’s, London, on Friday 5 December and from Sunday 7 to Tuesday 9 December.

The world’s third largest cut diamond, otherwise known as the “Incomparable Diamond,” went on display this weekend at the Royal Ontario Museum. It weighs in at 407.08 carats, has been graded ‘flawless’ by the Gemological Institute of America, is kite shaped and has a beautiful golden yellow color, all of which combine to create its very unique and individual beauty.

It was found as an 890-carat rough diamond by a young girl in the Mbuji-Maya district of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the early 1980s as she played in a pile of rubble from a nearby diamond mine.

The diamond was bought and sold numerous times prior to being acquired by Mr. Samuels and Mr. Glick. Mr. Samuels, a master cutter charged with cutting the diamond, initially hoped to break the record for the largest cut diamond in the world. It was determined, however, that size would be sacrificed for perfect clarity. Following four years of study and cutting, the 407- carat Incomparable Diamond emerged along with fourteen other “satellite” diamonds cut from the one 890-carat rough diamond. Five of these “satellites” are to be exhibited alongside the Incomparable Diamond.

The diamond will be on display until March 22nd of next year as part of the museum’s The Nature of Diamonds engagement. “The Nature of Diamonds,” running from Oct. 25 to March 22, is billed as “the most wide-ranging exhibition ever developed on the allure of diamonds.” It looks at the geologic origins of diamonds, how they are mined, their cultural significance and uses in science and technology.

To celebrate the 60th (Diamond) Anniversary of the popular board game, Hasbro Inc. is auctioning off a one-of-a-kind SCRABBLE: Swarovski Encrusted Board Edition, featuring more than 30,000 Swarovski crystals.

Each of the 30,000 glittering crystals is hand-selected to perfectly match the Diamond Anniversary edition of Scrabble, which will be available soon from all the usual retailers.

As for this sparkling edition, there is just one, and it’s selling here on eBay.

Secret Flawless is giving away ten whole one carat diamonds (worth $15,000 each) to ten lucky winners! If you use Secret Flawless deodorant and find a faux diamond in the bottom of the container, you win!

In addition to one of ten one carat flawless diamonds, when you purchase Secret Flawless deodorant you can enter your promotional code from your deodorant’s label onto the Secret website to win prizes like shopping sprees, five-star dinners and movie tickets.

That’s a creative ad campaign : a girl’s best friend might be in her deodorant ! Visit Secret.com for more information.

Ultra-luxury Swiss watchmaking house Audemars Piguet has launched two new stunning watch and necklace sets.

There are two sets of matching 18K white gold and diamond watches and necklaces for women, the Coup de Theatre and Carnet de Bal. Both watches use the AP calibre 2046 movement with manual winding (18 jewels) that beats at a frequency of 21 600 vph and provides 42 hours power reserve.

The “Carnet de Bal” series (above) was inspired by flower arrangements, creating a glittering floral spray of diamonds along the wrist and around the neck. The 18-carat white gold timepiece includes 481 gems of varying cuts totaling 59.53 carats. The matching necklace has 1,039 round, brilliant, marquise, pear, and baguette-cut diamonds.

“Coup de Theatre” is a more modern design with 853 brilliant cut diamonds for an astounding 123 carats in the watch. The gorgeous choker is dripping with 1,673 gems weighing in at 204 carats.

Words cannot describe how glamorous the effect is !

It’s been 60 years of Lotus, and in that time the British cottage automaker has produced a bevy of light, tossable cars that capture the essence of spirited driving.

Now, Lotus has teamed up with Winsor Bishop to bring you this luxurious car which has 164 diamonds (in total), studded in the rev counter, speed dials and many other places. The £111,000 worth of diamonds are then highlighted by using LED lights.

On the outside the diamond anniversary Europa gets a unique paint finish that combines a high gloss black base with tiny glass flakes to give the car the appearance that it is being showered with diamonds.