The Allnatt Diamond is the latest addition to Arpege Diamonds’ search for the most famous diamonds of all time. This breathtaking fancy vivid yellow diamond weighs 101.29 carats and was graded by the Gemological Institute of America as one with VS2 clarity. This clarity rating indicates that its inclusions are minor and extremely challenging to see, even with a microscope. It is extremely rare for diamonds of larger size to have such a high clarity grading, making the Allnatt Diamond distinctive from its counterparts. The true origin of this stone is unknown however, it is believed to have been unearthed in the De Beers Premier Mine in South Africa due to its similarities with other diamonds from that area.
Although much of its origin remains a mystery, records indicate that the first owner was Alfred Ernest Allnatt who purchased the diamond in 1950 and named it after himself. Sir Allnatt was a man that wore many hats including being a soldier, businessman, philanthropist and a collector of fine objects. As a connoisseur of collectibles, Alfred Ernest Allnatt purchased the diamond at an unknown price knowing the true potential of such valuable piece. He took the diamond to Cartier with the intention to enhance its unique color by having it set on an inimitable design. It was mounted onto an exquisite floral brooch that was comprised of five flower petals, a stem and two leafs all in colorless diamonds with the Allnatt fancy vivid yellow as the center of the flower.
In 1996, the Allnatt diamond was sold to the SIBA Corporation of Hong Kong by Christie’s of Geneva where it fetched an astronomical hammer price of $3 million. The mesmerizing Allnatt Diamond has been showcased during two occasions at the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. In 2003, it was displayed as part of the “Splendor of Diamonds” exhibition along side other famous colored diamonds including the Moussaieff Red. Again, in 2005 the Allnatt was featured as part of the “Diamonds” exhibition, which highlighted eight of the world’s most legendary diamonds of all time.
The Allnatt Diamond belongs to an exclusive class of diamonds; for every 10,000 diamonds mined only 1 is a fancy colored diamond. Though yellow diamonds are discovered in various sizes and color intensities, fancy vivid yellows such as the Allnatt are among the rarest.
Undeniably, it is the infrequency that these natural stones are discovered in which make them so desirable amongst collectors and investors. These small and portable investments have proven over centuries to hold long-term value, which is a key factor among those redirecting their investments from the traditional and unpredictable stock market.
The Allnatt is presently in the hands of an anonymous diamond collector in New York City, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats for when this legendary diamond will reappear on the market. This impressive story adds to Arpege Diamonds’ story collection of yellow historic diamonds such as the Tiffany Yellow.
For more reading on colored diamonds, check out the link below:
- Pink Diamonds - Year by Year Price Review
- Black Diamond Investment Guide
- Types Of Alternative Investments: Colored Diamonds
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