The world’s largest cut emerald will be auction next weekend in Kelowna.
The gemstone, which weighs almost 12 kilograms, has been appraised at $ 1.15 million, but could perhaps fetch as much as 10 times that amount, said Mike Odenbach, owner of Western Star Auction in Kelowna and Penticton.
“It’s stunning. It’s heavy and it’s got great energy,” Odebbach said Tuesday of the massive 57,000 carat gemstone that is expected to draw bids locally and from around the world when it goes to auction Jan. 28.
“It’s really humbling in a lot of ways. It’s called Teodora, which means God’s gift. I feel that is exactly what I’ve been given.”
Other than it was mined in Brazil and cut in India, details about the Teodora’s origin are a cloudy. It was imported to Canada by Calgary’s Regan Reany.
Odenbach said he had been doing business with Reany for a while and became friends with the gem hunter over time.
“He called me one day and said ‘Boy oh boy. I found something and you’re getting it.’”
There has been interest in the gem locally and as far away as Dubai and Texas.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
About The Reporter
