Kaya 959 ɾєρօɾτer
A rare diamond found in Gauteng has been sold for a record-breaking price of R 911 million.
At Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, the De Beers Cullinan blue diamond was auctioned for HK$450.9 million (R911 million).
The 15.1 carats fancy vivid blue diamond was sold to an unidentified buyer on Wednesday (27 April) evening.
The step-cut diamond, discovered in April of last year at the Cullinan mine in South Africa, is the largest vivid blue diamond ever to be auctioned. Bidders pushed the price up to HK$390 million, with auction premiums making up the difference.
Fancy coloured diamonds, which are rarer than colourless diamonds, have set numerous records in recent years. Coloured diamonds come in a variety of colours, but the most popular are pink and blue.
According to ɾєρօɾτs, blue diamonds are among the rarest and are found four times deeper than other diamonds.
Earlier this year ABC News had projected that it would fetch no less than $48 million (R 720 million) in a broadcast segment.
