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Oppenheimer Blue gem most expensive ever sold at auction Oppenheimer Blue diamond sells for world record at auction
(about 2 hours later)
The Oppenheimer Blue, the largest and finest fancy vivid blue diamond ever offered at auction, sold for a world record 56.837m Swiss francs (£39.5m) on Wednesday after dramatic bidding, Christie’s said.The Oppenheimer Blue, the largest and finest fancy vivid blue diamond ever offered at auction, sold for a world record 56.837m Swiss francs (£39.5m) on Wednesday after dramatic bidding, Christie’s said.
“It’s the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction,” said Christie’s spokeswoman Alexandra Kindermann.“It’s the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction,” said Christie’s spokeswoman Alexandra Kindermann.
The rare rectangular-cut stone, which weighs 14.62 carats, previously belonged to Sir Philip Oppenheimer, who controlled the Diamond Syndicate in London. It had a pre-sale estimate of $38m-$45m.The rare rectangular-cut stone, which weighs 14.62 carats, previously belonged to Sir Philip Oppenheimer, who controlled the Diamond Syndicate in London. It had a pre-sale estimate of $38m-$45m.
The packed Geneva auction room broke into applause as Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s international head of jewellery, brought down the hammer after two phone bidders ended a 20-minute battle for the gem.The packed Geneva auction room broke into applause as Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s international head of jewellery, brought down the hammer after two phone bidders ended a 20-minute battle for the gem.
The buyer’s identity was not immediately known.The buyer’s identity was not immediately known.