What Is a 404 Carat Diamond
A 404 carat diamond is a very large polished or rough gem weighing 80.8 grams, placing it among the biggest faceted or rough stones tracked by major auction houses and miners. In carat weight, 404 carats equals 80.8 grams, with typical dimensions varying by cut, shape, and crystal structure. Such stones are classified as large rough or large polished diamonds depending on whether they have been cut and polished or remain in rough form. For context, the average polished diamond sold in retail jewelry is well under 2 carats, making a 404 carat diamond an extreme outlier in size and rarity.
Large diamonds like a 404 carat stone are usually graded by gemological laboratories such as GIA or IGI for color, clarity, cut quality, and proportions. Color grades range from colorless D to light yellow or brown, while clarity can include flawless, internally flawless, or included types depending on internal characteristics. The value per carat tends to increase sharply as size rises, especially for stones above 100 carats, due to scarcity and demand from collectors and investors.
Value and Price Drivers for a 404 Carat Diamond
The value of a 404 carat diamond depends on the 4C framework: carat, color, clarity, and cut, with color and clarity often having outsized impact on price at this size. Auction results and private sales show that large polished diamonds can sell for millions of dollars, with per carat prices rising exponentially as stones exceed 100 carats. For example, major auction houses have sold stones over 100 carats for tens of millions, and a 404 carat diamond would likely command a premium reflecting its extreme rarity.
Price records for large diamonds are tracked by organizations such as the Antwerp World Diamond Centre and reported by financial media. Notable sales include high-profile auctions where per carat prices for large stones have reached six figures or more, depending on quality and provenance. For deeper context on record breaking sales and market trends, see this Forbes overview of the most expensive diamonds ever sold at auction most expensive diamonds auction records.
Major Diamonds, Miners, and Market Context
Large diamonds of this scale typically originate from major mining operations and alluvial deposits in countries such as Botswana, Russia, Canada, and South Africa. Companies like Lucara Diamond Corp, De Beers, and Alrosa have recovered some of the largest rough diamonds ever found, with Lucara notably producing stones over 1,000 carats from its Karowe mine in Botswana.
Regulatory and disclosure frameworks for large diamond sales include guidelines from the World Diamond Council and reporting requirements for publicly traded miners. For information on corporate filings and market disclosures related to large diamond recoveries, see the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission EDGAR system SEC EDGAR filings. Auction houses such as Sotheby's and Christie's also play a central role in marketing and selling extraordinary diamonds to global collectors and investors.