Sotheby’s auction creates a new global record for highest price of any blue diamond as well as sets a record for price-per-carat for any diamond which is $3.3 million per carat. A presale estimated $10 to $15 million blue diamond ended up at whooping total amount of $32,645,000 after intense bidding from even prospective buyers. The gem eventually went to a Hong Kong private collector’s inventory. Hong Kong collectors are constantly active in the world jewelry market.

The vivid blue diamond is of 9.75 carat with exceptional purity of the blue with no other colors. It also has the very high clarity to all other blue diamonds which contain imperfections due to crystal formation.

The gem belongs to the collection of heiress Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, who died earlier this year. She was the widow of philanthropist and horse breeder Paul Mellon. Sotheby’s New York continues the auctions of the Mellon Collection through Sunday.