The most expensive diamond in the world - is blue

SHOOT: Some people certainly have money to burn. $10 million for a small blue rock.

clipped from www.sowetan.co.za A blue diamond produced from the Cullinan mine in South Africa has sold for US$9,49 million (about (R80 million) - establishing a new record price per carat for any gemstone sold at auction. The internally flawless, cushion-shaped diamond weighing 7.03 carats, sold yesterday evening as the centrepiece of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva. This sale price of US$1,349,752 per carat has surpassed the world record price per carat achieved for any gemstone at auction. This was formerly held by a 3.73 carat, fancy vivid blue pear-shaped diamond which sold for US$1,328,444 per carat at a Sotheby’s auction in May 2008. Petra Diamonds CEO Johan Dippenaar commented: "The price achieved at the Sotheby’s auction... reflects how incredibly rare and collectable such an important blue diamond is to the connoisseur".