For all of you bling lovers out there (and I know you're out there), how's this for some super-sized glam? The Wittelsbach Diamond, a 35.56 carat cushion-shaped gem sold at Christie's for a record $24.3 million. The piece marks the highest bid ever placed on a gemstone at auction. The piece, a 35.56 carat cushion-shaped gem, was purchased by Laurence Graff of Graff Diamonds in London.
The diamond was originally purchased by King Philip IV of Spain in 1664 for his daughter's dowry and passed down through the family. It acquired the Wittelsbach name when the great grand daughter of King Philip married into Bavarian royalty, including the first king who incorporated the gem into his crown.
The diamond sold double what it was originally appraised (an encouraging sign about the public's continuing interest in the jewelry industry!).
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