Petra Diamonds Ltd (AIM: PDL) said the blue diamond produced from the Cullinan mine in South Africa has sold for US$9.49 million, or US$1.35 million per carat, establishing a new record price per carat for any gemstone sold at auction and the highest price for a fancy vivid blue diamond sold at auction.
The company's shares rose nearly 7 percent in early trade on the news.
The important fancy vivid blue, internally flawless, cushion-shaped diamond weighing 7.03 carats sold on May 12 as the centrepiece of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva.
This sale price has surpassed the world record price per carat achieved for any gemstone at auction, which was formerly held by a 3.73 carat, fancy vivid blue pear-shaped diamond which sold for US$1.33 million per carat at a Sotheby’s auction in May 2008.
It also surpasses the world record for a fancy vivid blue diamond sold at auction, which was formerly held by a 6.04 carat, fancy vivid blue diamond ring which sold for US$7.98 million at a Sotheby’s auction in October 2007, Petra Diamonds added.