GENEVA: A rare blue diamond was sold for 39.5 million Swiss francs (US$43.8 million) at a Christie’s auction in Geneva on Tuesday, reported German news agency (dpa).
The 17.61-carat gemstone called “Bleu Royal” is one of the 10 most expensive jewels ever sold at auction, according to a spokeswoman for the auction house.
The winning bid was placed on Tuesday by an anonymous private collector who prevailed over two other bidders.
Christie’s says the “Bleu Royal,“ which is set in a ring, is the largest flawless diamond of bright blue colour ever offered at an auction.
The estimated pre-auction value of the vivid stone, which is approximately 13 millimetres long and 8 millimetres wide, had ranged between US$35 million and US$50 million.
It was not disclosed who sold the ring. The “Bleu Royal” had been part of an “important private collection” for the past 50 years, Christie’s said.–Bernama-dpa
