World famous diamond sells for more than 20 million Swiss francs

The world famous Archduke Joseph diamond has sold for 21 million Swiss francs (which equates to around $21m or £13m), having last sold in 1993 for just $6.5m (£4m) . It was sold at the Christie’s auction house in Geneva to an anonymous bidder, but had previously been in the ownership of the American jeweller Black, Starr & Frost who seem to be of the opinion that it is going to a museum. The diamond came from the ancient Golconda mines, but somehow came into the ownership of Hungarian royalty in the late 19th Century before being passed on to other owners.  You can learn more about the diamond and the history of its ownership in the following video which was put together just before this latest auction. The price represents a record for a Golconda diamond and is the highest sum ever paid per carat for a colourless diamond.