Record price paid for perfect pink diamond

The 14.23-carat rectangular gem, known as the Perfect Pink, went under the hammer at British art auction house Christie's Hong Kong saleroom, where it was bought by an anonymous bidder.

It was a record price for a jewel sold at auction in Asia. Another record was broken by the total raised by the Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale, which at £50,601,648 was the highest amount Christie's had yet raised at a jewellery sale worldwide.

Vickie Sek, director of the jewellery and jadeite department for Christie's Asia, said: "The strength of the jewellery market was once again demonstrated in Hong Kong with a record 78.9 million dollars (£50.6m) auction making it the highest total ever for a jewellery auction in Asia and the largest at Christie's worldwide.

"At 23.2 million dollars (£14.86m), the Perfect Pink became the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction in Asia.

"Exceptional Burmese rubies and Kashmir sapphire also fetched top prices, as did jadeite which remains in great demand with Asian collectors."