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The Beau Sancy, a 34.98 carat diamond, is presented in Paris

The Beau Sancy, a 34.98 carat diamond, is presented in Paris, Monday, April 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

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Sotheby's to sell 400-year-old diamond

The gem is currently on display in Paris

Updated: Monday, 23 Apr 2012, 2:18 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 23 Apr 2012, 2:18 PM EDT

PARIS (AP) — The 400-year-old "Beau Sancy," one of the world's oldest and most storied diamonds in private hands, is up sale at Sotheby's auction house. Weighing in at 34.98 carats, the sparkling pear cut gem is estimated to be worth up to $4 million.

Those who don't have the money to buy the jewel can see it on display ahead of next month's sale.

Cut from the famous gem mines in the Indian city of Golconda, the diamond made its way through four royal European families and once belonged to Queen Marie de Medici of France. Its most recent owners are the descendants of the last Emperor of Germany.

The gem is currently on display in Paris. It will travel to London and Zurich before its auctioning in Geneva on May 14.

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