A diamond the size of a golf ball has sold at a Christie's auction in Hong Kong for £3.14 million.

The 101 carat jewel set a record as the largest diamond ever sold at an auction in Asia.

The stone was discovered in South Africa and was cut from a 460-carat hunk of rough crystal.

It is now mounted on an 18 carat white gold tiara, rather than a necklace or pendant, due to its extraordinary thickness.

The gem, which is internally flawless but rated VVS1 (very very slightly imperfect 1st degree) for clarity, sold at the low-end of its pre-sale estimate to a private buyer.

It is one of only three colourless diamonds of over 100-carats ever to be auctioned.

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