Rare Barbie has West Aussie pink diamond
The world's most-expensive Barbie doll featuring a West Australian diamond will be auctioned in New York with proceeds to benefit breast cancer research.
Australian jeweller Stefano Canturi designed a "Cubism" diamond-collar necklace featuring a rare 1-carat Australian Argyle pink diamond for one of the world's most-recognised dolls.
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Barbie manufacturer Mattel invited Mr Canturi to "create a world first - the rarest and one-of-a-kind Barbie", Canturi Jewels said.
The Sydney jeweller is known for his Cubism designs with baguette and carre cut diamonds set in a geometric pattern.
The design gives the effect of lacework with a "mosaic of gems suspended in air".
The centrepiece of Barbie's diamond collar is the pink diamond mined in WA.
Barbie by Stefano Canturi has been touring the world before her auction at Christie's in New York on October 20, where she is expected to sell for up to $US500,000 ($510,000).
The auction house said that if the doll fetched the estimated sale price, she would be the world's most expensive Barbie.
The world auction record for a Barbie is $US17,091, set in 2006 at Christie's London.
That doll, Barbie in Midnight Red, was a rare brunette Barbie from 1965.
Mr Canturi, who also designed his Barbie's outfit and hairstyle, said he wanted to donate 100 per cent of the profits from his Barbie auction to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Stefano Canturi creates the necklace for the custom-designed Barbie in his studio in Sydney.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Australians are urged to show their support for women with breast cancer on Pink Ribbon Day on October 25.
Barbie's pink diamond.
