February 20, 2008	Wednesday	Safar 12, 1429

LONDON, Feb 19: The biggest colourless diamond to appear at auction for 20 years will go under the hammer later this year, officials said as it was unveiled in London on Tuesday.

The 101.27-carat stone, which will be sold at the Hong Kong branch of Christie’s auction house on May 28, is expected to fetch in excess of $6 million.

“Only three colourless diamonds of over 100 carats have ever appeared at auction, all sold in Geneva,” said Francois Curiel, chairman of jewellery at Christie’s.

The diamond was found at the Premier diamond mine in South Africa, and is being sold by a Europe-based diamond trading company.—AFP