Blue Moon Diamond

Geneva, 11 November 2015 – A new world auction record for any diamond of any colour or any gemstone was set today when a sensational blue diamond sold for US$48,468,158 / CHF 48,634,000 (US$4,028,941 per carat) at Sotheby’s in Geneva (estimate: US$ 35-55m / CHF 34.2 – 53.7m).Previously called the “Blue Moon diamond”, the magnificent stone was purchased by a private collector from Hong Kong tonight who has renamed the record-breaking jewel “The Blue Moon of Josephine”. The prior auction record for any diamond had been held by The Graff Pink (24.78 carats), which sold for US$46.2 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2010.The exceptional result for The Blue Moon of Josephine importantly marks a new auction record price-per-carat for any diamond or gemstone – surpassing the benchmark established just last year at Sotheby’s New York by The Zoe Diamond (US$3,348,205 per carat) – as well as a new auction record price for any jewel – a title also formerly held by The Graff Pink sold in these rooms in November 2010. This is the first time any diamond or gemstone has reached over US$4 million per carat.