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Weighing an impressive 12.03 carats and possessing a perfect, vivid blue hue, the Blue Moon diamond sold for a record breaking $48.4 million USD on November 11, 2015.
Not only is the $48.4 million price the highest ever paid for a diamond, it is the highest amount ever paid for any stone of any type.
The flawless, fancy blue diamond was placed on auction at Sotheby’s in Geneva, Switzerland. Since the announcement was made on Sotheby’s website, the stone generated much worthy hype, due in large part to the distinguished hue being the epitome of its kind. Though no one expected the brilliant, immaculate stone to gain the notoriety it did upon its purchase.
Discovered in 2014 at the Cullinan mine in South Africa, the same mine in which the Blue Heart and Heart of Eternity were 
sourced, the 29.62 ct rough-cut diamond would be taken to the Smithsonian Institute where it would be revealed to hold the 12.03 ct, pristine blue diamond it is today. It was named accordingly to its rarity.
Sotheby would then auction off the diamond as its headlining item on November 11, 2015 for the shocking $48.4 million. The story of the newsworthy purchase noted the hefty monetary shell out, but also that its new owner, a Hong Kong collector, had purchased the cushion cut for his youngest daughter, 7 year old, Josephine, after whom he would also rename the stone.
What is now known as the Blue Moon of Josephine has been added to a seemingly growing collection for one very special little girl, as the previous day saw the same man paying an additional $28.5 million for a 16.08 ct pink diamond ring that would be 
named Sweet Josephine.
The Hong Kong businessman, Joseph Lau, has a tendency to purchase extravagant stones and rename them for the women in his life. Lau’s older daughter, Zoe, has also received two gorgeous, jaw-dropping rings herself: a 9.75 ct blue diamond reportedly worth $33 million, and a $8 million 10.1 ct diamond and ruby brooch.
For now, the Blue Moon of Josephine will remain at the top of the list for the world’s most expensive diamond.
