Record Price for Barbie 全球最贵的芭比娃娃

The previous world auction record for a Barbie was US$17,091, set in 2006.

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Background: 一个带着粉红色钻石项链的芭比娃娃在纽约的拍卖会上以高达30.25万美元的价格被拍卖，成为全世界价格最贵的芭比。拍卖的收入将用于慈善事业。

In the packed auction room the bidding was brisk for lot 358, a Barbie doll quite unlike any you have ever seen before. This version of the all-American blonde toy was dressed in a black strapless evening dress, with a pink diamond necklace matching her pink peeptoe stiletto heels.

It was the diamonds which drove Barbie's price up to US$302,500. Who bought her? An anonymous bidder. The price was at the lower end of the estimates that Christie's, the auction house, had put.

The jewellery designer Stefano Canturi, who created this Barbie and her necklace, says investors are taking refuge in rare gems right now because of uncertain economic times. The prices of diamonds and coloured jewels have gone up 20% over the past year, according to the auction house Christie's.

The proceeds from the sale of the bejewelled Barbie will go to Breast Cancer Research.