Huge 15-carat blue diamond sells in Hong Kong auction for $57.5 million
CBSN
On Wednesday, a blue diamond at a Hong Kong auction house achieved one of the highest prices for any diamond on the open market. The "De Beers Blue" diamond sold for $57.5 million, Sothebys auction house confirmed.
The diamond is a 15.10 carat step-cut Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, according to the auction house, which is the largest diamond of its kind to be placed on the open market. Before the auction, the diamond was estimated to sell for $48 million.
But the gem didn't go without a fight. A bidding war between four participants lasted for eight minutes before the diamond was finally sold. The auction winner who successfully purchased the diamond was an unnamed client represented by Wenhao Yu, chairman of Jewellery and Watches at Sotheby's Asia.
