Extremely rare yellow diamond known as the "Sun-Drop" has sold at auction in Geneva for just over US$10.9m.
The diamond was certified by gemologists as "Fancy Vivid Yellow", the rarest and most desirable colour for a yellow diamond. The intense colour is the result of traces of nitrogen trapped within carbon molecules and hardened over the course of millions of years.
"It's a record for a yellow diamond at auction," said David Bennett, the head of Sotheby's jewellery division. He said it was the eighth most expensive diamond sold at auction.
"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. The diamond had a pre-sale estimate of US$11-15m. With commission and taxes, the buyer paid out US$12.36m.


