Affluent Page Magazine Presents 24.78 Carat Pink Diamond Expects Upwards of $27 Million

Just because a diamond is forever does not mean a diamond owner is forever.

After about 60 years of sitting in a private collection since Harry Winston’s hands were lightened of its heavy (24.78 carat) load, one of the world’s greatest diamonds will be up for grabs at Sotheby’s sale of Magnificent Jewels in Geneva.

The ring is the crowning item of roughly 500 exquisite lots to be auctioned on Tuesday, November 16, at the Hotel Beau-Rivage. The sale follows a three-day exhibition at the same venue.

The Fancy Intense Pink Emerald-Cut Diamond, mounted on a silver ring and flanked by two white diamonds, is expected to fetch anywhere between $27-38 million, according to Sotheby’s Press Release. But calling the ring “fancy” refers to more than just the price tag—its pink coloring was officially graded “fancy intense pink” by the Gemological Institute of America.

Since their discovery some hundreds of years ago in the mines of India, jewelers have coveted pink diamonds for their rarity as well as their beauty. In 2002, the much-publicized engagement of Ben Affleck to Jennifer Lopez via pink heart-shaped engagement ring brought more global attention to the rare gems. Unlike the Fancy Pink, the Affleck-Lopez ring weighed in at 6.5 carats, costing a reported $1.2 million. It, too, proved slippery in the long run: the engagement was broken in off in 2004 and Lopez returned the ring to Affleck, who then asked Harry Winston to sell it for him.

Diamonds are believed to attain colors by developing unusual distortions while created inside the earth. The distortion then affects the absorption of light to reflect a particular color.

Currently, the world’s most expensive diamond is the Fancy Deep Blue Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond. Weighing 35.56 carats, it sold for $26.2 million in December of 2008 at Christie’s. Sotheby’s Fancy Intense Pink Diamond is expected to surpass that price at minimum.

In addition to dubbing the diamond “fancy intense pink,” the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) gives it a VVS2 clarity grade, just three grades away from FL, or flawless. The GIA goes further to say that after the stone is polished, it could very well be given a new grade of FL.

This begs the question…after spending $38 million for one of the world’s greatest diamonds, how much does one spend on polishing?

~Affluent Page

Affluent Page Magazine Presents Underwater Sculpture Museum Debuts In Mexico

On November 27, travelers to Mexico will soon be able to explore the captivating underwater museum — the largest in the world.

The museum will feature a collection of life-sized sculptures, creating “The Silent Evolution.” A series that depicts the history of man from ancient Mayan civilizations up to today. These life-size figurines depict actual people, with realistic gestures and positions.

It  will be part of the National Park in Cancun. Four hundred sculptures have already been submerged in the Caribbean waters, off the Yuctan Peninsula in Mexico’s eastern state of Quintana Roo.

These magnificent sculptures will be available for tourists and visitors that wish to admire the originality, beauty and uniqueness of these works of art, while snorkeling or dive in the sub aquatic museum, as one of the many activities to do in Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Not only can the underwater museum be seen while beneath the depths of the sea, but collectively the pieces also form the shape of a human eye when viewed from below.

The sculptures have been designed to be durable and will have no detrimental effect on the local ecosystem. The conservation of coral is at the forefront of many environmentalists’ minds. They are made of ph-neutral concrete, which will hopefully attract algae and marine life.

“It all happens rather quickly — within two weeks we will see green algae,” says artist Jason de Caires Taylor, who is in charge of the project. “Then within a few months, juvenile algae will appear and the project will progress from there.”

-Affluent Page

Affluent Page Magazine Presents Winston Churchill’s Car Will Auction For Estimated £250,000

The well-known vehicle used to drive Sir Winston Churchill will be auctioned off at what is said to be the best British auction venue–Brooklands. On December 4, the venue will have its third major sale, in which the Daimler DB18 Drophead Coupe is estimated to be sold for up to £250,000.

The car was owned by Churchill during his 1944 and 1949 political campaigns. The vehicle’s exterior was retouched by Carlton Carriage Co., and has undergone restoration for an estimated £140,000.

With a green leather interior, black bodywork and a wooden dashboard, this historic piece is nothing short of a modern marvel. It also features a touch of cabriolet on the hood along with black Jaeger instruments that compliment the vehicle’s body.

With only eight created in 1939, four of which were destroyed in different circumstances. The model being auctioned is the only remaining model of the vehicle.

Although it is vintage, the car can reach 76 mph, and go from 0-50mph in 17.9 seconds. The car DB18 also utilizes a 4 speed gearbox and a fluid flywheel.

It has traveled from Germany to the UK and was once owned by an Iranian prince. This month, the car is being showcased in Brooklands Museum before its December 4 auction.

Despite its age, any car enthusiast who would love to ride in an exquisite piece of history should look no further than Brooklands. Although it may not win races anytime soon, the Daimler DB18 Drophead Coupe’s history and class could make it the most valuable player in any parking lot.

-Affluent Page