October 18, 2017 - 5:15 AM
GENEVA - Christie's says, for the first time in 130 years, it will auction a legendary 19-carat pink diamond that once belonged to French rulers including King Louis XIV and Emperor Napoleon.
The diamond, "Le Grand Mazarin," was only sold at auction once before, at a famous 1887 sale of French crown jewels.
Christie's international head of jewelry Rahul Kadakia says the diamond from the Golconda mines in India was set in the crowns of almost all kings and emperors of France since the early 18th century. Chairman of Christie's Europe and Asia Francois Curiel called it "the diamond with the most prestigious and historic provenance still to be in private hands." The owner was not specified.
The auction is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Geneva.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017