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100-carat diamond sold for £9m 100-carat diamond sold for £9m
(35 minutes later)
A 100-carat yellow diamond has sold for 14.5m Swiss francs (£9.7m) to a private buyer, the star lot in a Geneva jewellery sale that Sotheby's auction house said fetched 125.5m francs overall. A 100-carat yellow diamond has sold for 14.5m Swiss francs (£9.7m) to a private buyer, as the star lot in a Geneva jewellery sale that Sotheby's auction house said raised 125.5m francs overall.
The Graff Vivid Yellow, weighing 100.09 carats, set a record for a yellow diamond, Sotheby's said. "With its exceptional size and a superb daffodil colour, the Graff Vivid Yellow is a truly extraordinary diamond with immense presence," said David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby's Switzerland.The Graff Vivid Yellow, weighing 100.09 carats, set a record for a yellow diamond, Sotheby's said. "With its exceptional size and a superb daffodil colour, the Graff Vivid Yellow is a truly extraordinary diamond with immense presence," said David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby's Switzerland.
However, the gem failed to hit the bottom end of its estimate, with a hammer price of 12.8m francs. Sotheby's had expected it would reach a hammer price of between 13.4m and 22.3m francs.However, the gem failed to hit the bottom end of its estimate, with a hammer price of 12.8m francs. Sotheby's had expected it would reach a hammer price of between 13.4m and 22.3m francs.
The total price, which Sotheby's said was equivalent to $163,331 per carat, includes commission fees. Neither the seller nor buyer were identified.The total price, which Sotheby's said was equivalent to $163,331 per carat, includes commission fees. Neither the seller nor buyer were identified.
Among the other lots at Tuesday's auction was a white round diamond of 103.46 carats, also cut by Graff and described by Sotheby's as one of the largest brilliant-cut diamonds in the world, which sold for 4.3m francs.Among the other lots at Tuesday's auction was a white round diamond of 103.46 carats, also cut by Graff and described by Sotheby's as one of the largest brilliant-cut diamonds in the world, which sold for 4.3m francs.
"Once again, fine pieces with important provenance were highly sought after," Bennett said."Once again, fine pieces with important provenance were highly sought after," Bennett said.