In this undated photo released by Sotheby’s, Williamson’s pink star is seen. A pink diamond auctioned for $49.9 million in Hong Kong on Friday, marking the highest price per carat for a diamond ever sold at auction. (Sotheby’s via The Associated Press)
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A pink diamond sold for $49.9 million in Hong Kong on Friday, setting the highest price per carat at auction.
The 11.15-carat Williamson Pink Star diamond, which was auctioned by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, has sold for $49.9 million. It was originally estimated at $21 million.
The Williamson Pink star derives its name from two legendary pink diamonds. The first is the 23.60-carat Williamson diamond that was given to the late Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift in 1947, and the second is the 59.60-carat Pink Star diamond that sold for a record $71.2 million at auction in 2017.
The Williamson Pink Star is the second largest pink diamond ever to appear at auction. Pink diamonds are among the rarest and most valuable colored diamonds.
“This is an amazing result, proving the resilience of the largest diamond cut in a fragile economy,” said Tobias Kormend, managing director of 77 Diamonds.
“Hard assets like world-class diamonds have a history of performing well even in times of instability,” he said. “Some of the highest quality diamonds in the world have seen prices double over the past 10 years.”
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