Diamond sells for $24 million

A rare blue diamond handed down through generations of German royalty sold for a record $24.3 million at auction in London, Christie’s said.

The Wittelsbach Diamond, a 35.56-carat cushion-shaped gem, has often had its color and clarity compared to the famed Hope Diamond, now on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

The rare gem was snapped up by billionaire diamond dealer Laurence Graff. Christie’s spokeswoman Alexandra Kindermann said the price beat the $16.5 million paid for a 100-carat diamond at a Swiss auction in 1995.