13.22 carat blue diamond leads Christie's jewels auction

Geneva, May 13 (IANS) A 13.22 carat vivid blue diamond, estimated between $21 million and $25 million, is leading the front at the international auction house Christie's Magnificent Jewels sales May 14, organisers said.

In the "Ocean Dream" category of the action, a 5.50 carat blue-green diamond estimated between $7.5 million and $9 million, a 76.51 carat light pink corner-square-cut diamond set as a necklace centrepiece estimated between $7 million and $9 million, and a pear-shaped diamond of 75.97 carat estimated between $1.3 million and $1.5 million are also being auctioned, a statement said.

The "Passion for Jewels" category comprises 14 jewels, including the Rajah diamond - an old-mine-cut diamond of 26.14 carat. It belongs to the second wife of English playwright and novelist Charles Morgan.

Also for auction is a rare Mughal engraved spinel bead necklace that dates back to the 17th century, and has names of Emperor Akbar Shah and his successor Jahangir Shah engraved on it. It is estimated between $1.5 million to $2 million.