Auctioneer Christie’s sold a 75.36 carat briolette diamond for $11 million in Hong Kong during a sale on Tuesday.

The sum set a new record for that particular style of gem — an elongated pear-shape cut with facets — which works out to $148,000 per carat.

Its pre-sale estimate was in the range of $8.5 to $12.5 million.

Christie’s said it marks the third record setting sale in recent months.

The auction also sold a diamond and emerald necklace for $5.7 million and a pair of ruby and diamond earrings for $3.9 million.

One of the most famous briolette diamonds is a 26o carat gem, centrepiece of a necklace given by Napoleon Bonaparte to his consort Marie Louise, that is is now housed in the Smithsonian.

The 4 C’s.

There’s more to Diamonds than meets the eye !

Diamond is the hardest of all gemstones known to man, born billions of years ago deep within the earth. The precision with which your diamond is cut will determine its brilliance, fire and beauty. The shape you select is a matter of individual taste and the choice available will depend on the skill and imagination of the craftsman.

All diamonds are precious, but no two stones are alike – although they may look identical to the naked eye. Those possessing the best combination of Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat weight are the earth’s rarest and most valuable.  To understand these differences is to understand the 4 C’s. It is these characteristics that determine the value of a Diamond.

The precise origin of Birthstones is disputable.  Some scholars believe it started with the breastplate of Aaron, a ceremonial item worn by the Jewish High Priest and set with 12 stones, each representing one of the tribes of  Israel. Many cultures had their own list of stones, but in 1912 the Jewellers Association of America put its weight behind a “standard” list  which is still in use today all over the world. This is known as the Modern List.

January       Garnet

February     Amethyst

March           Aquamarine

April              Diamond

May                Emerald

June               Pearl

July                Ruby

August          Peridot

September   Sapphire

October         Opal / Tourmaline

November    Topaz / Citrine

December     Turquoise / Blue Topaz