At its Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Spring Sale, Sotheby’s sold its top lot – the De Beers Millennium Jewel 4 for US$31.8 million. It is the highest price ever paid for a jewel at auction in Asia. This 10.10-ct Oval-shaped Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond achieved a price of US$3,151,561 per carat. The previous auction record for a jewel in Asia was created with the sale of a 118.28-carat Oval-shaped D-Flawless Diamond which sold for US$30.6 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in October 2013.

Yeow, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia and Chairman of International Jewellery, Asia said, “We are delighted with the results of this sale, with the De Beers Millennium Jewel 4 setting a record for any jewel sold at auction in Asia. The top ten lots show a great diversity ranging from coloured diamonds, diamonds, gemstones and pearls to jadeite. Rare and important jewels from Asian private collections lead the strength of the market with the De Beers Millennium Jewel 4, the fancy vivid orange diamond and the strand of natural pearls achieving exceptional prices.”

The sale overall earned revenues worth US$73.3 million.