On November 11, Sotheby’s auction house in Geneva, Switzerland saw the highest price ever paid at an auction for any gem, setting a new world record.
Joseph Lau, a billionaire residing in Hong Kong, purchased a rare blue diamond, formerly known as the “Blue Moon Diamond,” as a gift for his daughter Josephine. Lau bid a remarkable $48.5 million (previous record was around $32 million) for the stone, which comes in at around 12.03 carats and has been renamed the “Blue Moon of Josephine.”
The “Blue Moon of Josephine” is set in a diamond ring and is renowned for its astounding beauty and is considered flawless. Auctioneer David Bennet states that he has “never seen a more beautiful stone. The Shape, the color, the purity – it’s a magical stone.”
This diamond is among the very rare blue diamond family along with the likes of the Hope Diamond and the Blue Heart Diamond. This rarity makes these blue diamonds extremely popular with collectors and enthusiasts.