Who will buy $15 million ‘Sun-Drop’ diamond?

Said to be the largest diamond of its kind, the gem known as a ‘fancy vivid yellow pear-shape’ was discovered in South Africa in 2010 and wowed visitors to London’s Natural History Museum where it was displayed earlier this year and also in Hong Kong.

Now the jewel approximately the size of a women’s thumb is looking for an owner.

Auction house Sotheby’s, who will sell the rock in Geneva on November 15th, said the “sublimely rare” lot has attracted interest from all over the world.

David Bennett, head of jewellery for Europe and the Middle East, said: “It’s the largest vivid yellow pear-shape known — at 110 carats it’s absolutely huge.

“Every time we’ve shown it around the world, people have gone ‘oh my god’.”

“It has huge presence and bags of character — I’ve sort of fallen in love with it.”

Following its discovery the gem was cut in New York by US diamond company Cora International and spent a number of months on public display before being consigned to Sotheby’s who estimate its value at $11-15 million.

“It has never been owned so the buyer will be the first person to wear it,” said the expert.

“It’s a difficult sale to predict and we’ve had interest from all over the world.

“But I think it’s a spectacular stone and it’s obviously sublimely rare so we’re optimistic.” 

Yellow diamonds take their colour from traces of nitrogen in their carbon make-up.