Sunday Times 2
HK collector pays $33 million for Sotheby’s blue diamond
View(s):SHANGHAI (Reuters) – A Hong Kong buyer has paid $32.6 million for a near 10-Carat blue diamond at an auction held by Sotheby’s in New York, underlining the rising demand for the sparkling gems from increasingly muscular Chinese buyers.
The unnamed Hong Kong collector saw off six other bidders to set a new record price-per-carat for any diamond, Sotheby’s said in an announcement sent to Reuters.
China, the fastest growing diamond market, is driving global demand in the sector, with younger generations of Chinese increasingly choosing the precious stones over traditional gold baubles to mark engagements and marriage vows.
This handout photo shows the newly-named Zoe Diamond. A Fancy Vivid Blue pear-shaped diamond from the estate of Rachel “Bunny” Mellon has sold for $32.6 million USD. It's an auction record for any blue diamond. t sold to an anonymous Hong Kong collector (AFP)