Rare diamond expected to fetch up to US$7.5 million at auction

An extremely rare 77.77-carat yellow diamond is expected to fetch up to US$7.5 million when it goes up for auction in early April.

The stone is one of the world’s rarest diamonds according to Sotheby’s Hong Kong Deputy Head of Jewelry, Terry Chu.

“Only when a diamond, which has color and the color saturation is strong enough to call vivid, actually it’s always been rarer. And then don’t forget yellow diamond is rare, but when it’s vivid yellow and over 20 or 30 carats size it’s getting to be very rare. And this one, because it’s over 77 carats it’s one of the, I would say, it’s the rarest diamond, among the rarest diamond in the world,” Chu said adding the rarity of the color is more important than the size.

She called the diamond “Lady Luck” because of the auspicious numbers that make up the size of the jewel.

The number 7 is considered auspicious in the Chinese culture because of its similar sound to the word “together” in Mandarin.

The color of the stone – yellow – is also considered lucky because it symbolizes royalty and wealth.

Also showcased was a pair of rare purple-pink diamond earrings expected to fetch up to US$ 7 million and a jadeite bead and diamond necklace also expected to fetch the same value.

Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite spring sale will take place on April 6.

(Reuters)