A blue diamond of 13.39 cts. became the most important color diamond sold at auction anywhere in the world during the past 10 years, according to Christie’s. Offered at auction house’s in Geneva location on Wednesday, it achieved a world record price of $8.9 million.

“This impressive result is due to the scarcity of colored diamonds on the market, and to the great demand from collectors around the world for exceptional artworks and jewels that is currently dominating the auction world,” said François Curiel, chairman of Christie’s Europe and auctioneer of the sale.

The auction took in nearly $48.3 million, with 11 lots fetching more than a million dollars. Other big sellers included the following:

* An emerald colored diamond and pearl necklace for $5.6 million.

* An emerald colored diamond and pearl pendent, $4.4 million.

* A colored diamond necklace, $3.1 million.

JCK