Katia Noun Boueiz, Sotheby’s Deputy Chairman for the Middle East and Head of Sotheby’s UAE, wore the Mediterranean Blue diamond during its first public showing in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. AP Photo
A stunning collection of some of the world's rarest diamonds is now on display in Abu Dhabi. Among them, a rare 10-carat blue diamond from South Africa has become the star attraction. The collection, worth around $100 million, opened to the public on Tuesday and is already turning heads.
The exhibition features eight diamonds in total. Together, they weigh more than 700 carats. Visitors can view stones in red, yellow, pink, and clear shades. But the bright blue gem is stealing the spotlight. Experts say this 10-carat diamond is one of the most valuable blue diamonds ever found. It shines with rich color and exceptional clarity, making it a rare find in the gem world.
The diamond will soon head to auction, where it is expected to sell for $20 million in May. Many believe it will easily meet or even surpass that price because of its quality and rarity.
The exhibition is organized by an international auction company. Quig Bruning, one of its top jewelry experts, spoke about why they chose Abu Dhabi for this show. He said the region is full of serious collectors and diamond lovers.
“We have great optimism about the region,” he said. “We feel very strongly that this is the kind of place where you have both traders and collectors of diamonds of this importance and of this rarity.”
Bruning also explained that the demand for rare diamonds is strong in the Gulf. That’s why it made sense to bring such a valuable collection here.
Diamonds like the ones on display don’t appear on the market often. They come from only a few places around the world and take millions of years to form. Most are never found. When they are, they often end up in private collections or high-end auctions.
People visiting the show are not only enjoying the chance to see these stones up close but also learning about what makes them so special. From deep reds to glowing yellows, each stone has a unique story.
The blue diamond, in particular, is drawing the biggest crowds. Its size, color, and shine make it a rare sight, even for diamond experts. For many, this exhibition offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a stone like this in person.
The exhibition runs for a limited time before the gems head to their next destination or auction house.
