A dazzling blue diamond once owned by mining magnate Philip Oppenheimer etched a record $50.6 million (45  million euros) at auction in Geneva Wednesday, auction house Christie's said.

The 14.62-carat "Oppenheimer Blue" is the largest stone in the exceptionally rare Fancy Vivid Blue category ever to go under the hammer, according to Christie's.

The anonymous buyer will have to part with a total of $57.54 million, all fees and commissions included,  a Christie's spokesman said.