Story highlights

A rare blue diamond has been auctioned in Hong Kong

The 10.10 carat gem sold for $31.8 million

It is the most expensive gemstone to be sold at auction in Asia

CNN  — 

A rare blue diamond has gone up for sale and smashed auction records in Asia.

The 10.10 carat rock, named the De Beers Millennium Jewel 4, is the largest oval-shaped, fancy vivid blue diamond to ever appear at auction world.

Billed by Sotheby’s as “yet another wonderful collecting opportunity for connoisseurs worldwide”, it has sold for $31.8 million – which makes it the most expensive gemstone to be sold at an auction in Asia.

Blue Moon

Blue diamonds are considered to be one of the rarest of gems, making up just a small percentage of all diamonds harvested worldwide.

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rare blue diamond
Rare blue diamond smashes Asia auction records
01:44 - Source: CNN

But while this blue beauty has broken all records for sales of the gem in Asia, its value still falls short of the world’s most expensive diamond.

That title went to the 12.03 carat “Blue Moon” diamond, sold in Geneva, Switzerland, to a Hong Kong billionaire for his seven-year-old daughter in November 2015 for $48.4million.

Magnificent jewels

The ‘De Beers Millennium Jewel 4’ went on auction as part of a 270 lot ‘Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite’, sale by auction house Sotheby’s on April 5 in Hong Kong.

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MO:12 Carat Diamond Ring Lost and Found in 8 Tons of garbage    **This package/segment contains third party material. Unless otherwise noted, this material may only be used within this package/segment. Usage must cease on all platforms (including digital) within ten days of its initial delivery or such shorter time as designated by CNN.    CLARKSON VALLEY, MO (KTVI) It was the case of missing wedding rings, two rings lost in 8 tons of trash.    One of them with a 12 and a half carat diamond and the Squitieri's of Clarkson Valley had to get dirty, stinky and lucky to get them back.    It started in the Squitieri family kitchen Sunday afternoon.  Sunday night her husband was cleaning up around the sink and early Monday morning the Meridian Waste truck picked up the garbage.    Carla Squitieri`s rings were mixed in with the garbage of more than 900 customers.    After a few prayers and phone calls the Squitieri`s realized her rings were in the garbage.  Minutes before they hit the landfill, Meridian diverted their truck to a transfer station and the dig was on.    Joe Evans of Meridian Waste ended up finding the rings.    The rings are insured, but it's the sentimental value that had the Squitieri's digging through rotted food and dirty diapers.  Meridian workers know all about that and say they'd do this for anybody.
12-carat diamond rings lost in 8 tons of trash
01:43 - Source: KTVI

The auction included some of the world’s rarest colored diamonds.

It currently holds an estimated combined value of over $96 million.

April could be a busy month for blue diamond sales, with a blue diamond ring once owned by Shirley Temple also up for auction by Sotheby’s just a few days later in the U.S.