Sotheby’s Hong Kong has broken a 20-year record during its auction of a fancy vivid blue 6.04 carat diamond. The diamond earned a sales price of US$ 7,981,835, or US$1,321,495 per carat, which is the highest price per carat since 20 years. Such a record was held until now by the 0.90 carat Hancock Red diamond which was sold for US$880,000 in 1987 –the highest price paid per carat in an auction, also for 20 years.

The Sotheby’s diamond is an emerald-cut diamond set into a ring and is internally flawless. Altogether seven telephone bidders competed in the auction, which took over eight minutes to conclude. The sale price more than twice the price that has ever been paid for a fancy vivid blue stone.