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              Rare Blue Diamond Sells for Record $57.6M at Auction

   by VOA News

   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."
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/blue-diamond-record-auction/3336240.h
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/blue-diamond-record-auction/3336240.html