15 November 2011 Last updated at 16:41 ET Share this pageEmail Print Share this page
346ShareFacebookTwitter.Yellow Sun-Drop diamond goes for $10.9m at Sotheby'sAdvertisementThe BBC's Imogen Foulkes: "Despite the downturn, jewelry sales in Geneva have been brisk"
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110-carat yellow diamond 'to fetch £7m'
Record yellow diamond on display
An extremely rare yellow diamond known as the Sun-Drop has sold at auction in Geneva for just over $10.9m (£6.8m).
Sotheby's auctioneer David Bennett said the sum - paid by a telephone bidder who preferred to stay anonymous - set a world record for a yellow diamond.
The 110.3 carat pear-shaped diamond is said to be one of the largest diamonds ever to appear at auction.
Discovered in South Africa last year, it was sold by New York-based Cora International.
The diamond was certified by gemologists as "fancy vivid yellow", the rarist and most desirable colour for a yellow diamond, Sotheby's had said.
The colour is the result of traces of nitrogen trapped within carbon molecules and hardened over the course of millions of years.
The diamond had a pre-sale estimate of $11-15m. With commission and taxes, the buyer paid out $12.36m.
"It sold for a record for a yellow diamond... It was exactly within our expectation for this spectacular stone," Mr Bennett told reporters after the sale.
346ShareFacebookTwitter.Yellow Sun-Drop diamond goes for $10.9m at Sotheby'sAdvertisementThe BBC's Imogen Foulkes: "Despite the downturn, jewelry sales in Geneva have been brisk"
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
110-carat yellow diamond 'to fetch £7m'
Record yellow diamond on display
An extremely rare yellow diamond known as the Sun-Drop has sold at auction in Geneva for just over $10.9m (£6.8m).
Sotheby's auctioneer David Bennett said the sum - paid by a telephone bidder who preferred to stay anonymous - set a world record for a yellow diamond.
The 110.3 carat pear-shaped diamond is said to be one of the largest diamonds ever to appear at auction.
Discovered in South Africa last year, it was sold by New York-based Cora International.
The diamond was certified by gemologists as "fancy vivid yellow", the rarist and most desirable colour for a yellow diamond, Sotheby's had said.
The colour is the result of traces of nitrogen trapped within carbon molecules and hardened over the course of millions of years.
The diamond had a pre-sale estimate of $11-15m. With commission and taxes, the buyer paid out $12.36m.
"It sold for a record for a yellow diamond... It was exactly within our expectation for this spectacular stone," Mr Bennett told reporters after the sale.
well if shes cute no problem... The daughters I wouldn't have to see much of
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