The 400-year-old “Beau Sancy,” one of the world’s oldest and most storied diamonds in private hands, is up for sale at Sotheby’s auction house. Weighing in at 34.98 carats, the sparkling gem with a rare pear cut is expected to fetch up to $4 million.
For now, the jewel is on display in Paris and will move on to London and Zurich before it gets auctioned off in Geneva on May 14. “It has a fascinating history, and really is a once-in-a-lifetime sale,” said David Bennett, Sotheby’s jewellery chairman. “When it was made in the 16th century, the pear cut was new, bold, and so it became the most sought-after jewel of its era. Before the ‘Beau Sancy’ all diamonds were rudimentary.”
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Tearful Hudson testifies at kin murder trial
Chicago: Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson broke down several times as she took to the stand to testify against the man accused of killing her mother, brother and nephew in 2008.
The singer-actress was the first witness by the prosecution on Monday. Hudson identified accused William Balfour, the estranged husband of her elder sister Julia, the CNN reported. Hudson also recalled how her family was against Julia’s decision to marry Balfour with whom the actress attended grammar school.
“None of us wanted her to marry him. We did not like how he treated her. I would tell her over and over again not to marry William. We did not like how he treated her, and I didn’t like how he treated my nephew,” said Hudson.
The actress also talked about her relationship with her mother, saying she spoke with her every day. — PTI