76-Carat diamond set to be auctioned for over $15m

GENEVA - Archduke Joseph Diamond, one of the rarest and most famous diamonds in the world, was presented in Geneva on Thursday by Christie's and expected to achieve more than $15 million at an auction on Nov 13 .

An employee poses with the Archduke Joseph diamond during an auction preview at Christie's in Geneva November 8, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

The magnificent gem combines an impressive size of 76.02 carats, perfect color and internally flawless clarity.

Jean-Marc Lunel, senior specialist at Jewellery Department of Christie's, said due to its cut, shape, color and clarity, Archduke Joseph was certainly to be one of the most important and precious diamonds ever presented at auction.

This spectacular diamond origin is traced to the ancient Golconda mines in India, the source of the world's most coveted historical diamonds, including the Koh-i-noor, in the Royal Collection at the Tower of London, and the Regent, considered the finest diamond in the French Crown Jewels.

According to Lunel, this diamond has been officially recorded as the property of the Archduke Joseph August of Austria, Palatine of Hungary (1872-1962), and was subsequently named after him.

An employee poses with the Archduke Joseph diamond during an auction preview at Christie's in Geneva November 8, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]