In addition to the highest price ever paid for a piece of Chinese contemporary art at auction that was brought in by Zeng Fanzhi’s The Last Supper, Sotheby’s Hong Kong set other impressive records—for a total of 16 in all.
One of the most notable sales was a massive flawless white diamond that went for $30.8 million after a six-minute bidding war between two phone buyers. The oval-shaped gemstone is the largest of its kind, and set the record for the highest price paid for a white diamond at auction. If you weren't able to make it to Hong Kong to see the diamond in person, view the video above for some stunning up-close shots.
In addition to the huge surge in auction purchases among Chinese collectors, another reason the diamond likely did so well is that Chinese buyers are particularly known for their interest in flawless gemstones in comparison to pieces of jewelry prized for their craftsmanship, which is a likely reason why the Hong Kong auctions featured so many of the former.