Sotheby's 'perfect' 100-carat diamond sells for $22 million

By Allyssia Alleyne, CNN

Updated 0313 GMT (1113 HKT) April 22, 2015

This flawless, 100-carat diamond sold for $22 million, including buyer's premium, at Sotheby's New York's Magnificent Jewels sale on April 21. It's one of only six diamonds over 100 carats to ever be sold at auction.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
This flawless, 100-carat diamond sold for $22 million, including buyer's premium, at Sotheby's New York's Magnificent Jewels sale on April 21. It's one of only six diamonds over 100 carats to ever be sold at auction.
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"Simply put, it has everything you could ever want from a diamond: the classic shape begs to be worn, while the quality puts it in an asset class of its own," said Lisa Hubbard, Chairman of North and South America for Sotheby's International Jewellery Division.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
"Simply put, it has everything you could ever want from a diamond: the classic shape begs to be worn, while the quality puts it in an asset class of its own," said Lisa Hubbard, Chairman of North and South America for Sotheby's International Jewellery Division.
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This oval-shaped 22.30 carat diamond ring sold to an online bidder for $3.3 million.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
This oval-shaped 22.30 carat diamond ring sold to an online bidder for $3.3 million.
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This purple-pink diamond, set between two sapphires, provides a great alternative to the classic white. It sold for $2.4 million.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
This purple-pink diamond, set between two sapphires, provides a great alternative to the classic white. It sold for $2.4 million.
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Kashmir sapphires featured heavily in the lot. This ring from Cartier, which was created around 1915, combines platinum, diamonds and one spectacular sapphire. It sold to an online bidder for $1.9 million.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
Kashmir sapphires featured heavily in the lot. This ring from Cartier, which was created around 1915, combines platinum, diamonds and one spectacular sapphire. It sold to an online bidder for $1.9 million.
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This gold, platinum and sapphire brooch from Tiffany & Co. was one of many nature-inspired pieces from French designer Jean Schlumberger in the 1960s. The centerpiece is a sapphire of approximately 17 carats. It sold to an online bidder on Tuesday for $1M.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
This gold, platinum and sapphire brooch from Tiffany & Co. was one of many nature-inspired pieces from French designer Jean Schlumberger in the 1960s. The centerpiece is a sapphire of approximately 17 carats. It sold to an online bidder on Tuesday for $1M.
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The Spectacular Bid Collection of Harry Winston pieces is inspired by an American racehorse. The Burmese sapphire that is the focal point of this necklace is a nod to the stallion's racing colors. It sold for $430,000 with buyer's premium.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
The Spectacular Bid Collection of Harry Winston pieces is inspired by an American racehorse. The Burmese sapphire that is the focal point of this necklace is a nod to the stallion's racing colors. It sold for $430,000 with buyer's premium.
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The 3.5-carat Flagler Emerald originally belonged to a wife of Henry Flagler, a 19th-century American industrialist. It fetched $2.8 million at Sotheby's auction on Tuesday.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
The 3.5-carat Flagler Emerald originally belonged to a wife of Henry Flagler, a 19th-century American industrialist. It fetched $2.8 million at Sotheby's auction on Tuesday.
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This Mughal Empire-inspired necklace -- a combination of platinum, emerald, sapphire, lapis and diamond -- was recently part of the <a href="http://denverartmuseum.org/exhibitions/brilliant-cartier-20th-century" target="_blank"><em>Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century</em></a> exhibition at the Denver Art Museum. Tuesday's buyer paid $2.6 million.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
This Mughal Empire-inspired necklace -- a combination of platinum, emerald, sapphire, lapis and diamond -- was recently part of the Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century exhibition at the Denver Art Museum. Tuesday's buyer paid $2.6 million.
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Equally colorful is this Tutti Frutti Cartier Bracelet from the 1920s, which is made of platinum, enamel, emeralds, rubies and diamonds. It sold for $1.63M with buyer's premium.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
Equally colorful is this Tutti Frutti Cartier Bracelet from the 1920s, which is made of platinum, enamel, emeralds, rubies and diamonds. It sold for $1.63M with buyer's premium.
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For those looking to avoid ostentatious jewels altogether, this Jean Després 18 karat gold bracelet from the 1930s is the perfect choice. The new owner paid $125,000.
Photos: Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels 2015
For those looking to avoid ostentatious jewels altogether, this Jean Després 18 karat gold bracelet from the 1930s is the perfect choice. The new owner paid $125,000.
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