Christie’s is offering the Oppenheimer Blue diamond at its Magnificent Jewels sale held at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva. The 14.62 carat diamond is the largest and finest Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever offered at auction. The exceptional blue diamond, named in honor of its previous owner Sir Philip Oppenheimer, is estimated at US$38-45 million.

‘On May 18th, Christie’s will present the largest and finest Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever seen. This stunning Fancy Vivid Blue rectangular-cut gem promises to create a media sensation as it travels around the world, fascinating both collectors and gem enthusiasts alike, before it makes its way to the auction block in Geneva,’ said, Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewellery.

The Oppenheimer Blue is the latest in a line of historic blue diamonds that have been auctioned at Christie’s. These include the Tereshchenko in 1984, the Wittelsbach Blue in 2008, the Begum Blue in 1995, and a blue-diamond ring owned by Marie-Antoinette which was auctioned in 1983.

François Curiel, Chairman of Christie’s Asia Pacific and China said, “The Oppenheimer Blue can only be described as one of the rarest gems in the world. It is the gem of gems.”