Sotheby's has announced that its fall luxury auction series in the city will commence on October 5 with the sale of the "Infinite Blue," an 11.28-carat radiant-cut fancy-vivid blue diamond, uniquely crafted to incorporate the auspicious number eight, symbolizing prosperity in Asian culture and representing the concept of infinity, as explained by the auction house.

This exceptional gem, known as the Infinite Blue, originated from the original rough found in Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan mine in South Africa. It stands as a rare type IIb stone, accounting for less than 0.1% of diamonds with such a striking blue color from the same deposit. Furthermore, it joins an exclusive group of only four fancy-vivid-blue diamonds over 10 carats from the same mine, including the 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue, which achieved $57.5 million in 2016; the 15.10-carat De Beers Blue, which sold for $57.5 million in 2022; and the Blue Moon of Josephine, a 12.03-carat diamond that fetched $48.5 million in 2015.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) emphasized the extraordinary nature of the Infinite Blue, stating that the discovery of a blue diamond of this caliber is an exceptionally rare occurrence. Described as a radiant gem with spirited light performance, it continues to captivate gem connoisseurs and diamond enthusiasts alike, as blue diamonds consistently take center stage in the world of gems.