A centuries-old diamond passed down through generations of European royalty fetched nine million Swiss francs ($9.7 million) at auction in Geneva on Tuesday.

The 34.98-carat “Beau Sancy” diamond measures 2.3 centimetres in height, is 1.9 cm wide and 1.1 cm deep.

Passed down through the royal families of France, England, Prussia and the Netherlands, the Beau de Sancy has witnessed 400 years of European history.

Mining giant Rio Tinto has unearthed a “remarkable” 12.76 carat pink diamond in Australia, the largest of the rare and precious stones ever found in the country.

Named the Argyle Pink Jubilee, the huge rough stone was found at Rio’s pink diamond operations in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and would take 10 days to cut and polish, the miner said.

“This rare diamond is generating incredible excitement,” said Josephine Johnson from Rio’s Argyle Pink Diamonds division.

Black Astrum today launch the Signature Card range of bespoke diamond encrusted business cards, targeting ultra high net worth individuals across the world.

A full set of cards can contain in excess of 30 carats. The average selling price per card is around the £1000 mark, sold in sets of 25, 50 and 100 cards.

“The Signature Card allows our members to express themselves in a truly unique way” said Sufian Khawaja, Black Astrum’s concept director.

The Lobortas Classic Jewelry House of Kiev, Ukraine has entered the record books by setting 2,525 diamonds in one ring.

The “Tsarevna Swan” ring was presented and measured in Kiev on July 21, 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records confirmed.

The diamonds range from 0.001-0.05 carats with a total weight of 10.48 carats. All of the diamonds are of G color and range from VVS2 to VS1 in clarity.

For 2012, Ralph Lauren presents two new interpretations in its Slim Classique collection, featuring the luxuriously embellished cases.

The first model places a single row of brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel, set off by a glossy black frame that emphasizes the rectilinear form of the watch.

On the second watch, two rows of diamonds make the bezel sparkle. Diamonds have also been set into the lugs, and a single rosecut diamond adorns the crown.

A 110-carat yellow jewel called the Sun Drop Diamond, thought the biggest of its kind in the world, sold for a record 10 million francs ($10.9 million) at auction in Geneva.

The gem was discovered in South Africa in 2010 and wowed visitors to London’s Natural History Museum where it was displayed earlier this year.

“It’s an absolute record for a yellow diamond,” Sotheby’s David Bennett told journalists after the sale. “It is a spectacular, unique stone.”