Auctions of all types, but especially those that involve important diamonds are exciting to follow, from beginning to end. First, it is enthralling to learn about some of the pieces that are put up for auction. Then it gets even more exhilarating as we hear the price estimates. However, there is no comparison to the excitement felt as the hammer crashes down, literally and figuratively, and the final sum is announced. This could not be truer for another record-breaking item that recently sold in Hong Kong for a surprising figure.

An enormous 75.36-carat D internally flawless briolette type IIa diamond, the largest of its kinds ever to be sold at auction, suspended from a Marquise-cut Purplish Pink diamond was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong for an astounding $148,000 per carat. Originally estimated at $8.5 million to $12.5 million, the extremely large diamond finally sold for a total of US $11,145,734.

The briolette diamond is set as a pendant on an 18K rose and white gold necklace and features a marquise-cut purple-pink diamond that is attached to the main stone. The record-breaking necklace was just one of the 290 items sold at the Hong Kong auction. Altogether the items brought in $82.9 million for Christie’s, though they had only anticipated around $74 million. The ten top lots alone fetched an impressive $2 million. Other noteworthy pieces that sold at this auction is the 8.88-carat oval-shaped ruby ring, paired with marquise and pear-cut diamonds. An additional piece is the Boucheron emerald necklace dating back to the 1950s. The necklace also showcases European and baguette-cut diamonds.

Now that the excitement has died down a bit, we eagerly anticipate the announcement of items to be auctioned off in the near future. Then the thrilling cycle of the auction sales will begin all over again.

Briolette Diamond Sells for Over $11 Million