On November 11th, Sotheby's says a rare blue
diamond has sold for a record 48.6 million Swiss
francs ($48.5 million) at a Geneva auction, including
fees.
The 12.03-carat 'Blue Moon' Diamond is said to be
among the largest known fancy vivid blue diamonds
and was the showpiece gem at Wednesday's auction.
The price fell within the pre-auction estimate of $35-
$55 million. Excluding fees, it sold for 43.2 million
Swiss francs.
The Blue Moon, whose name plays off the expression "once in a blue moon" has the polished blue gem cut from a 29.6-carat diamond discovered last year in South Africa's Cullinan mine, which also yielded the Star of Africa blue diamond in the British crown jewels.
On its Twitter account, Sotheby's said the jewel was
purchased by a Hong Kong private collector and
promptly renamed 'The Blue Moon of Josephine'.

$48.5m. Nigeria needs to buy this diamond because it seems it will be so bright that we won't need NEPA light again.