39-carat 'Evening Star' diamond up for auction Eds: APNewsNow. Moving on general news and financial services.

AP Photo NYR101 NEW YORK (AP) A 39-carat pear-shaped diamond called the Evening Star is going on the auction block in New York City.

Its pre-sale estimate is between $3.6 million and $5.5 million.

It comes from the same ancient mine in India as the celebrated Hope and Wittelsbach diamonds, known for their luminescent quality.

The Evening Star is one of 10 jewels belonging to a single owner that Christie's is offering in a special sale on Dec. 10. It has not identified the collector.

Christie's says the Wittelsbach diamond holds the record for a jewel sold at auction more than $24 million at its 2008 London sale.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-13-09 1359CST | save this article / add to your favorites list