The Ashberg Diamond
It is said that this amber-colored, cushion-shaped diamond
weighing 102.48 carats, was formerly part of the Russian Crown Jewels. It must
have been a late addition to that collection because the stone bears all the
characteristics of one from South Africa. In 1934 the Russian Trade Delegation
sold the diamond to Mr. Ashberg, a leading Stockholm banker. The Stockholm firm
of Bolin, former Crown Jewellers to the Court of St. Petersburg, mounted it as a
pendant. In 1949 the Ashberg was displayed, mounted in a necklace containing
diamonds and other gemstones, at the Amsterdam Exhibition, the aim of which was
to attract new workers to the diamond industry.
Ten years later the Bukowski auction house in Stockholm put
the Ashberg up for sale but it failed to reach its reserve and was withdraw.
Then its owner succeeded in selling the gem to a private buyer whose name was
not revealed. Finally, in May, 1981, Christies auctioned the diamond in Geneva
where once again it failed to reach its reserve and was withdrawn. Source:
Diamonds - Famous, Notable and Unique by GIA and Famous Diamonds by
Ian Balfour.