Russia's State Precious Metals and Gemstones Repository, Gokhran, recently held a rough diamond auction, its first such auction slated for 2010, selling $7.9 million of the large stones, weighing over 10.8 carats, reports say. Gokhran sold 95 lots of 6,474 carats of roughs, reports add.

Its offering at the auction included 166 lots containing 721 diamonds weighing 11,495 carats. The sale was held on March 16. Gokhran is planning to host two of similar auctions for the year.