Diamonds
Fancy-colored Pink Diamonds — the most emotionally desired color
Most pink diamonds do not get color from impurities; instead, their pink/red hues result from structural distortions of the crystal lattice during formation (plastic deformation). This makes their origin fundamentally different from yellow or green diamonds. GIA research confirms lattice distortion as the dominant mechanism for pink color. GIA
Why collectors pay a premium
• Emotional appeal + rarity + historic auction trophies (record lots) produce very strong demand; pink diamonds have set some of the highest per-carat jewelry auction records. Sothebys.com
Market prices (guidance and auction examples)
• Auction precedents:
o “The Eternal Pink” (10.57 ct Fancy Vivid Purplish-Pink, IF) sold for US$34.8M at Sotheby’s (June 2023) — that is roughly US$3,292,337 per carat (34,800,000 ÷ 10.57 ≈ 3,292,337). Sothebys.com
Calculation: 34,800,000 ÷ 10.57 = 3,292,336.80 USD/ct.
o Other famous pinks (Pink Star / CTF Pink Star, Pink Promise, Williamson pinks) have sold in the tens of millions, often exceeding $1–$5M+/ct depending on weight and intensity. Only Natural DiamondsSothebys.com
• Market guidance: high-end Fancy Vivid Pinks commonly trade in the $500k to several million USD per carat range; the very top stones (rare weights and top intensities) exceed $3M–$10M/ct in the open auction market. Sothebys.comOnly Natural Diamonds
Rarity: Pink diamonds are extremely rare: only a tiny fraction (well under 0.2% of mined diamonds) produce significant pink color, and Fancy Vivid pinks are much rarer still. They’re highly sought after by collectors and investors. Rare ColorsSothebys.com
• Where found: Notable sources: Australia (Argyle mine historically), Botswana, South Africa, and some other African mines. Many of the finest modern pink finds have come from southern African operations. Sothebys.com
