AUCTION: Archduke Joseph diamond mined in India fetches $21.5 million

A model holds the ‘Archduke Joseph’ historical diamond during a Christie’s auction preview in Geneva in October. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

REUTERS

GENEVA, Nov 13 – A huge, internally flawless diamond from India’s fabled Golconda mines was sold at auction in Geneva on Tuesday night for 20.355 million Swiss francs ($21.48 million US), Christie’s said.

The rare, colourless stone weighing 76.02 carats once belonged to Archduke Joseph August of Austria (1872-1962), a prince of the Hungarian line of the Habsburgs. Its pre-sale estimate was 15 million Swiss francs to 25 million Swiss francs.

The diamond was the star lot at Christie’s semi-annual jewellery sale in Geneva, where more than 300 lots were on the block.





Featured

Victoria to Abbotsford

Cyclists to spread message of cultural diversity from Victoria to Abbotsford

LARISSA CAHUTE VANCOUVER DESI Armed with a bicycle and positive message, Mission’s Ken Herar is hoping to connect communities across the Lower Mainland. For the…
Continue Reading »

Policemen search a building in Amritsar, Punjab in this May 19, 2010 file photo. In Ludhiana, Punjab, police are investigating after three family members were found slain in their home May 17, 2013. Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty Images

Couple from B.C. found killed in their new home in Punjab, India

VANCOUVER DESI A couple believed to be from British Columbia were found slain in their Indian home on May 9, 2013. According to the Times…
Continue Reading »

Muslim faithfuls

Bombs at mosques in Pakistan kill 15, underlining challenge for new government

RIAZ KHAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Bombs that exploded outside two mosques in a village in northwestern Pakistan killed at least 15 people…
Continue Reading »

LOCAL NEWS

New mosque for B,C,'s Almadiyya community

B.C.’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community finally has its own mosque

LARISSA CAHUTE VANCOUVER DESI British Columbia’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community finally has a place to call home. The local and Canada-wide community raised $8 million for…
Continue Reading »

Victoria to Abbotsford

Cyclists to spread message of cultural diversity from Victoria to Abbotsford

LARISSA CAHUTE VANCOUVER DESI Armed with a bicycle and positive message, Mission’s Ken Herar is hoping to connect communities across the Lower Mainland. For the…
Continue Reading »

Policemen search a building in Amritsar, Punjab in this May 19, 2010 file photo. In Ludhiana, Punjab, police are investigating after three family members were found slain in their home May 17, 2013. Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty Images

Couple from B.C. found killed in their new home in Punjab, India

VANCOUVER DESI A couple believed to be from British Columbia were found slain in their Indian home on May 9, 2013. According to the Times…
Continue Reading »




Bollywood Latest

Jeune & Jolie

Designer Sanchita Ajjampur takes a risk with Freida Pinto’s Cannes look (with video, gallery)

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) Sanchita Ajjampur believes she took a “risk” with an “unconventional” ensemble — a “gild web gown” for actress Freida Pinto at…
Continue Reading »

Bollywood actor

Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt surrenders in court to serve jail term for owning illegal weapons

CHONCHUI NGASHANGVA  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW DELHI — Indian actor Sanjay Dutt surrendered before a Mumbai court Thursday to begin serving time for a weapons…
Continue Reading »

Riz Ahmed

The Reluctant Fundamentalist: Saga about immigration to U.S. unwieldy, superficial

Film: “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”; Cast: Riz Ahmed, Shabana Azmi, Om Puri, Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland, Liev Schreiber, Martin Donovan, Nelsan Ellis, Imaad Shah, Adil Hussain,…
Continue Reading »