Pink diamond broke new world record at auction in Hong Kong

An 8.41-carat vivid pink diamond has broken a new world record at auction in Hong Kong, selling for 17.8-million US dollars.

Quek Chin Yeow is the deputy chair of International Jewelery.

"And of course the highlight of the evening was the superb vivid purple, pink diamond which now sets the new world record for any vivid pink diamond at auction."

Despite the lower-than-expected turnout at the auction, possibly due to the protests in Hong Kong, Quek contends there is still a huge appetite for rare gems worldwide.

"It was tremendous. Everybody when they started bidding they were quite enthusiastic and we had at least six, seven bidders on the pink. And that was quite a big thrill."

The previous world record was for a pink diamond which also sold at auction in Hong Kong in 2009 for 10.7 million US dollars.