The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond
The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond is one of the most celebrated blue diamonds ever discovered — a 14.62-carat Fancy Vivid Blue, VS1 clarity, Type IIb stone of extraordinary rarity and historical resonance.
© Christie’s
Provenance and History
Named after Sir Philip Oppenheimer, a prominent member of the Oppenheimer family that long controlled the De Beers diamond empire, the stone carries both geological and human significance. It was originally mounted by Verdura, one of the most respected jewelry houses of the 20th century, before being re-set in a more contemporary design for auction.
In May 2016, the Oppenheimer Blue became a defining moment in auction history when it sold at Christie’s Geneva for $57.5 million, setting a new world record for any jewel ever sold at the time. The sale reflected not only its gemological importance but also its unique place in the lineage of the Oppenheimer family — whose stewardship helped shape the modern diamond industry.
Characteristics
The Oppenheimer Blue is classified as Fancy Vivid Blue, the most coveted color grade for blue diamonds, representing exceptional depth and saturation of hue. Its emerald cut — unusual for colored diamonds — was chosen to emphasize its purity and geometry, allowing light to travel through the stone with rare symmetry and brilliance.
As a Type IIb diamond, the stone’s color results from trace amounts of boron atoms integrated into the crystal lattice during formation deep within the Earth’s mantle. These boron inclusions bend light in a way that produces the pure, rich blue hue characteristic of only the rarest 0.1% of all natural diamonds.
Legacy
The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond remains one of the most recognizable and historically significant blue diamonds in existence. Beyond its record-setting sale, it symbolizes the enduring connection between nature’s artistry and human legacy — a link between the ancient forces that created it and the generations of craftsmanship and collectors who have preserved it.
It continues to inspire gemologists, historians, and connoisseurs alike as a benchmark for perfection in both beauty and provenance.
