The pink diamonds They are one of the most beautiful and desired gemstones in the world of jewelry. In addition to this, they are among the rarest and most difficult to find in the world. A characteristic for which they become even up to 10 times more valuable than colorless diamonds.
However, unlike colorless diamonds, pink diamonds They are usually not very large. Therefore, finding a large pink diamond would be extremely rare and valuable. To get an idea of how rare this is, we must say that there are few colored diamonds in the world.
This is how of all the diamonds in the world, colored diamonds represent just 1%. While, within that 1%, the pink diamonds They also make up 1%. That is why they are so valuable and appreciated.
formation of pink diamonds
Just like the rest of the diamonds. A pink diamond is formed as a result of the enormous pressures and temperatures that occur inside the planet. Which causes billions of carbon atoms to arrange themselves and join together. To form a solidly packed three-dimensional network. That, after a series of geological processes that can last between 2,000 and 3,000 years, they end up reaching the earth’s crust.
Although, the process is the same. The difference when we talk about pink Diamonds, It lies in how they get their color. Because it is known that in the case of other colored diamonds, the presence of impurities or minimal amounts of other elements, as well as structural defects and natural irradiation are responsible for promoting the change in hue.
But in the case of pink diamonds, the origin of their color is not entirely defined. Because, these have been studied through spectrometers and in them, no impurity that can produce their color has yet been found.
It is believed that both pink diamonds and red diamonds get their color because they experience a sudden and localized overpressure during the formation process. This ends up altering the structure of the gem in a specific area.
Which results in a layer that interacts with visible light in a completely different way. Even absorbing part of it and making it acquire its characteristic pink tone.
Shades of a pink diamond
The pink diamonds Those that exhibit a pure pink color are ideal, although purple-pink diamonds are also highly prized. In general, a pure pink diamond will be more highly valued than a larger, lighter pink diamond.
Likewise, pink diamonds can present eight intensities depending on the degree of saturation. So they can be found in shades ranging from brown-pink to purple-pink. In the same way they also acquire different denominations such as: fancy light pink, fancy pink, fancy purple-pink, and fancy vivid pink.
Pink Diamond Category
The pink diamonds They are part of the category of type IIa diamonds. Which means they form at high pressures over longer periods of time. And they usually have an irregular shape. Also, they are diamonds with little or no impurities.
Main Sources of Pink Diamonds
Although the pink diamonds they were first discovered in India, at the Kollur mine in the Andhra Pradesh district. Currently diamonds of this color have also been found in countries such as Brazil, Russia, Siberia, South Africa, Tanzania and Canada.
Although to date, 80% of the pink diamonds mined in the world come from the Argyle mine. This mine is located in Kimberley, Western Australia, it is owned by the Rio Tinto Group company, although only a few are extracted each year.
The most famous pink diamonds
Darya-i-Noor
This is one of the largest diamonds in the world. It is a 186-carat pale pink specimen from India. Whose name means «sea of light» or «ocean of light» and currently belongs to the Collection of National Jewels of Iran. Which are protected in the Central Bank of the Republic of Iran, in Tehran.
Hydrangea
This beautiful 21.32 carat peach pink stone with a pentagonal cut on its crown and a 5 sided pavilion. It owes its name to Hortence Eugénie Cécile de Beauharnais (1783 – 1837). Who was Queen of Holland and mother of Napoleon III of France.
This diamond was extracted from India and bought by King Louis XIV of France in 1643. He wore it on his clothes and kept it in his custody until 1715. Due to its historical interest, this diamond currently belongs to the Louvre Museum in Paris, in France. Where it is exhibited in the gallery of Apollo.
Graff Pink
The Graff Pink is a 24.78 carat deep pink diamond. It is emerald cut and is set in a platinum ring with two shield cut diamonds on its flanks.
This diamond was purchased by diamond dealer Laurence Graff, who named it Graff Pink. And he paid for it 46 million US dollars at an auction held by Sotheby`s in Geneva, in November 2010. For what became the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction up to that time.
Pink Star
Formerly known as the Steinmetz Pink. It is a 59.60 carat diamond classified for its color as vivid pink by the Gemological Institute of America. It was found by the De Beers company in South Africa in 1999 and had a gross weight of 132.5 carats. It took two years to polish this magnificent gem.
It is worth mentioning that this diamond had been sold in 2013 through a private sale. But, it was not completed, due to default of payment by the buyer. Including it again in the Sotheby’s catalog of the year 2017. To finally sell it at a price of 76.2 million dollars.
The Pink Legacy
This is an extraordinary 18.96 carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond. Set in a platinum ring and discovered in South Africa in 1918. This beautiful rectangular cut gem with cut corners was purchased by Harry Winston INC. At auction held by Christie’s in Geneva in 2018. Quickly being renamed The Winston Pink Legacy by its buyer.
The sum paid for this diamond was 50 million dollars, at a rate of 2.6 million per carat. What is a world record per carat for a pink diamond