Demand for mesmerising yellow diamonds that evoke memories of summer and magical sunrises remains strong as evidenced by several historical yellows that have emerged in luxury jewellery circles over the years.

Topping the list is The Tiffany Diamond, which is renowned as one of the world’s largest and finest yellow diamonds. According to Tiffany & Co, the diamond – then a 287.42-carat rough – was discovered in the Kimberley mines in South Africa in 1877 and acquired the following year by founder Charles Lewis Tiffany.

It was later cut to enhance its exceptional colour and became what is now known as the 128.54 carat yellow diamond whose permanent home is the Tiffany & Co flagship store in New York City.

Meanwhile, the 110.3-carat Sun-Drop yellow diamond made history in 2011 when it sold for US$12.3 million at Sotheby’s Geneva. Certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as fancy vivid yellow – the most desirable colour for a yellow diamond – the Sun-Drop was described as having a strikingly rich colour and commanding presence.

More recently, Sotheby’s New York sold a 303.10-carat fancy deep brownish-yellow diamond, aptly named Golden Canary, for US$12.4 million. It was recut from the legendary 407.48-carat Incomparable yellow diamond. 

The reborn gem now ranks as the world’s largest known internally flawless diamond and is distinguished as the largest flawless or internally flawless diamond ever graded by GIA.