An exceptional 103.49-carat diamond, named “The Light of Africa,” fetched US$20.08 million at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction in New York, surpassing pre-sale estimates.

The D-colour flawless Type IIA emerald-cut diamond, earlier valued at US$11 million to US$18 million, is described as having “excellent polish and symmetry,” and comes with a report from the Gemological Institute of America.

It was forged from a 299.3-carat rough unearthed from the legendary Cullinan diamond mine, which has produced some of the most historic and sensational diamonds, including the Great Star of Africa and the Second Star of Africa – both part of the British Crown Jewels set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown.

Other stars of the New York auction include a diamond necklace with a 76.46-carat heart-shaped brilliant-cut diamond centre gem in platinum and 18-karat white gold, which sold for US$4.92 million; a fancy colour and colourless diamond bracelet mounted by Carvin French, which fetched US$2.7 million; and a 20.33-carat D-colour flawless Type IIA pear brilliant-cut diamond, which was snapped up for US$2.04 million.

The sale, which generated a total of US$48.88 million, also featured jewels from private collections alongside signed jewels by Bhagat, Boucheron, Bulgari, Cartier, David Webb, Graff, Harry Winston, Raymond Templier, Tiffany & Co, and Van Cleef & Arpels.