Pink diamond breaks auction record in Hong Kong
In this undated photo released by Sotheby’s, The Williamson Pink Star is seen. The pink diamond was auctioned off for $49.9 million in Hong Kong on Friday, setting a world record for the highest price per carat for a diamond sold at auction. (Sotheby’s via Associated Press)
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HONG KONG — A pink diamond sold for $49.9 million in Hong Kong on Friday, setting a world record for the highest price per carat for a diamond sold at auction.
The 1[ads1]1.15-carat Williamson Pink Star diamond, auctioned by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, sold for $49.9 million. It was originally estimated at $21 million.
The Williamson Pink Star takes its name from two legendary pink diamonds. The first is the 23.60 carat Williamson diamond that was presented to the late Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift in 1947, while 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 to appear at auction. Pink diamonds are among the rarest and most valuable of the colored diamonds.
“This is an astonishing result, proving the resilience of top diamonds in a shaky economy,” said Tobias Kormind, CEO of 77 Diamonds.
“Hard assets such as world-class diamonds have a history of strong performance even in times of volatility,” he said. “Some of the world’s highest quality diamonds have seen their prices double over the past 10 years.”
