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The Annenberg Diamond – Sold!
Posted by cissy | Posted in Diamond Advice, Weird Diamond News | Posted on 15-11-2009
On a cool October day in 2009, the 32.01 carat diamond ring that wealthy billionaire Leonore Annenberg purchased for her 90th birthday, was auctioned off. Christie’s had been given the task; and successfully sold it for $7.7 million; a considerable hike from the expected pre-sale estimate of $3million to $5million.
Prior to her death in March, 2009, it must be noted that Mrs. Annenberg had been named an ambassador during President Ronald Reagan‘s first term; serving as U.S. chief of protocol. Mrs. Annenberg and her billionaire husband, The Honorable Walter H. Annenberg, had also been very involved with the arts and with education.
Annenberg diamond
The exceptionally gorgeous, square shaped diamond ring, designed by Manhattan jeweler David Webb, is colorless, flawless, and roughly the size of a walnut. It is said to be the absolute epitome of what one would consider to be the perfect diamond, in that it incorporates the very best of the 4 C’s (Carat, Clarity, Color, Cut) On either side of the huge and breathtaking center stone are diamonds that are 1.61 carats and 1.51 carats respectively. Leonore was able to enjoy wearing her gift to herself for a little over a year before she died at the ripe old age of 91.
On the day that Mrs. Annenberg received it, it was delivered by armed guards to her home in California. It has been said that she was delighted whenever visitors would admire it. (Who wouldn’t?!).
Although the name of the purchaser was not disclosed, it is only hoped that this beautiful diamond ring brings as much joy and delight as it did to Mrs. Annenberg.
May she rest in peace.
