'Pink Star' diamond auctioned for record $83 million

GENEVA: An enormous diamond known as “The Pink Star” has sold for more than $83 million at an auction, far surpassing its expected price.

Sotheby’s says the sale Wednesday night of the vivid and flawless 59.60-carat pink diamond is the highest price ever paid for a gemstone at auction.

Prior to the sale to the successful bidder, representing an anonymous buyer, the diamond was estimated to fetch more than $60 million.

The sale came a day after the largest fancy vivid orange diamond ever sold at auction went for $35.5 million at a Christie’s auction.

The auctions at Geneva’s lakeside hotels draw well-heeled buyers from around the world seeking expensive jewels, artwork, wine and watches.

The exact sale price of “The Pink Star” was 76.325 million Swiss francs, or $83.425 million. (AP)