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A PLUM-SIZED diamond known as the “Pink Star” was auctioned in Geneva Wednesday for €61 million, a world record for a gemstone.
David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s jewellery division in Europe and the Middle East, brought down the hammer in a Geneva hotel after an intense, five-minute bidding race.
Set on a ring, the 59.60-carat pink internally flawless diamond is measures 2.69 by 2.06 centimetres and weighs 11.92 grammes.
Pic: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire
The winning bidder, a bearded man apparently in his sixties sporting a Jewish skullcap, was pitted in a one-on-race against a telephone competitor.
The bidding in Geneva was conducted in Swiss francs, starting at 48 million and working its way upwards million-by-million.
There was a long silence as the price reached 67 million Swiss francs, before the in-room bidder came back with the winning 68 million.
Commission included, the final price was 76 million francs — the equivalent of €61 million euros.
There were up to 150 people in the auction room who erupted into applause as the theme tune from the “Pink Panther” was played as a tongue-in-cheek gesture.
The winning bidder declined to identify himself to AFP but confirmed that he had been representing another individual, whose name and location he refused to reveal.
The diamond had been estimated at €40 million.
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Looks like something out of Claire’s Accessories!
the bloke who bought that must be in serious trouble with his missus.
And in other news today, Typhoon-ravaged Philippines struggles to provide medical care, food for survivors.
No relationship to this story
6.5 million euros commission for auctioning one item. Nice business if you can get it.
Disgusting money for a stupid fainne.
Plum-sized? The plums that hang between my legs are bigger than that!
Was the mysterious phone bidder Gollum by any chance?…precious…
The bidder was sporting a Jewish skullcap? What about the buyer of the paintings today, was it a he or a she, Muslim, Christian or Hindi? Why is that detail there?
Hiding salient points of information is not a what a news site should do. People have a right to know.
I thought the same Jamie… why does religion have to come into everything!? If it was a regular wooly hat would they have mentioned it? lol
Surprised the article didn’t describe him as a ‘covetous Jew’ and have an artists impression from c1930s Germany.
Ah yes Sensei, the devil is in the detail wha?
That’s the smallest plum I’ve ever seen! In fact, I’ve seen bigger grapes!
That bidding cost me a fortune in phone costs to Geneva….
Save a thought for the hungry and near dead from having nothing!!!!
It was bought by a bond holder…
If you wife to be isn’t happy with the ring, any ring then your better off avoiding her and getting a more balanced model.
No matter how many times I bag up my coins, it always falls short of millions. Try as I might, the result is always hundreds and not millions. I must be doing something wrong. Help!
Takes me about a year to fill my jug with 1′s and 2′s and 5′s.. then I trapse down to to tesco to collect my approx 9 euro worth of free stuff.. Ah what was become of me?
I’ve got a brown star I’d sell for a million,any bidders!!
And in other news today austerity ravaged ireland struggles to provide healthcare
What’s with all the begrudgers? If someone has €61m they want to piss away on a shiny rock, let them off. It’s nobody’s business but their own.
Well worth the money
It certainly opens your eyes when on tv news you see people in phillipians begging for help while this auction+that other one for that painting goes on
No recession round there, wha’?!
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