A rare vivid blue diamond experts call "legendary" and "exceptional" set a world's record Wednesday for the most expensive jewel ever auctioned - $57.6 million.
The gem is named the Oppenheimer Blue after its former owner, diamond mine magnate Philip Oppenheimer.
It sold at Christie's auction house in Geneva after a tense back-and-forth telephone bidding war between two buyers.
The anonymous winner of the diamond will pay $57.6 million, including Christie's fees and commissions.
The Oppenheimer Blue weighs a remarkable 14.62 carats and is considered among the most exquisite pieces of jewelry in existence.
The chairman of Christie's Asia Pacific and China, Francois Curiel, describes it as having a "perfect hue, impeccable proportions and fabulous rectangular shape."
He calls it "the gem of gems."
