The Shimmering Sun. Impressive 77.77 carats Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond and Diamond Ring-Pendant. Estimate 53,000,000 — 60,000,000 HKD (5,970,873 - 6,759,478 EUR). Photo Sotheby's

Centring on a cushion-shaped fancy vivid yellow diamond weighing 77.77 carats, flanked by two heart-shaped diamonds together weighing approximately 5.00 carats, to a brilliant-cut diamond-set shank, mounted in 18 karat white and yellow gold, ring mount detachable, with pendant fitting. Ring size: 6½ 

Accompanied by GIA report numbered 2115610049, dated 30 June 2010, stating that the 77.77 carat diamond is natural, Fancy Vivid Yellow colour, VS2 clarity, with Excellent Symmetry; also accompanied by diamond type classification report. 

The Shimmering Sun

mportant yellow diamonds have long had a foothold in history, as illustrated by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, the premier diamond merchant and pioneer of the 17th century, whose account of the beautiful colour of a 137.27 carat yellow diamond, was likened to that of a citron fruit (lemon).  The French jeweler and traveler saw the stone among the possessions of Ferdinando II de’Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1657. Once the great yellow diamond of the Medici Family, this historical Indian stone of royal provenance had been christened various names throughout history - the Tuscan, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the Austrian Diamond and The Florentine Diamond.

The inherent beauty of yellow diamonds which captures the sun rays like no other gemstone is mesmerizing to its aficionado, the sparkles of a yellow diamond shimmering with sentiments of joy and happiness. Pure yellow diamonds owe their color to the presence of single isolated nitrogen atoms replacing carbon items in the diamond crystal structure. Pure strong yellow diamonds with no modifying colors are relatively rare and they are greatly admired and eagerly sought after by collectors and diamond connoisseurs. However, the scarcity of supply and increased demand for fancy vivid yellow diamonds of important sizes have driven prices up in recent years. In 2011, Sotheby's Geneva achieved an auction record for the sale of ‘The Sun-Drop Diamond’ (renamed ‘The Lady Dalal’), a 110.03 carat pear-shaped fancy vivid yellow diamond weighing 110.03 carats for CHF 11,282,500 ($12,361,558), one of the largest diamonds ever to appear at auction. More recently, the sensational and rare Graff Vivid Yellow weighing 100.09 carat achieved a world auction record price of CHF14,501,000 ($16,347,799). 

This spring, Sotheby’s is proud to offer another extraordinary cushion-shaped fancy vivid yellow diamond of 77.77carats – an auspicious number for the Chinese, signifying togetherness, and the luckiest number in the West representing wealth. This exceptional size is extremely rare for any diamond, and the fancy vivid yellow grade ranks the diamond as having the finest saturation of color. It is most difficult for diamonds of this size to obtain a vivid status and of such a superb golden yellow hue. Whilst historically important diamonds of such impressive size and beauty could only be found in royal collections, Sotheby’s is honored to offer a marvelous rare endowment of nature for the ultimate connoisseur. 

Sotheby's. Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite, Hong Kong, 06 avr. 2015, 01:00 PM