Gems go up for auction

A RARE and unusual collection of loose diamonds was set to go under the hammer in Edinburgh later this week.

Four of the lots feature rare, naturally coloured diamonds, including yellowish gray, yellowish green and an oval cut purplish pink diamond valued between 1500 and 1800.

The collection also includes examples of other less widely known gemstones such as a purplish pink spinel, a raspberry red bixbite, a cat's eye chrysoberyl and certificated Tanzanites.

Colin Fraser at Lyon & Turnbull said: "Loose gemstones seldom appear in jewellery auctions at Lyon & Turnbull so close attention will be paid to the private collection."

The lot will be up for sale at the Edinburgh auction house on Broughton Place on Friday.