Despite all the variety of original classic diamonds, fancy diamond gemstones have recently become increasingly popular and in demand.
These are those specimens that, by their nature, are endowed with a bright and rich color component. They are much less common in nature, have bright colors and play, and cost much more money compared to the classics.
The mystery of the color of a pink diamond: all hypotheses?
Without a doubt, fancy diamond precious minerals (namely, the sample discussed in the article belongs to them) evoke admiration, undisguised envy and genuine surprise. Especially after people look at him at least in a photo, and even better live.
Scientists and the whole world still face a mystery, shrouded in darkness, assumptions and hypotheses about how pink diamonds acquire this color and what is the reason for this?
Let's consider the basic assumptions that have the right to life, and are not irrelevant and unimaginable (for example, that such diamonds were brought by aliens).
Symbiosis of temperature and pressure
One hypothesis is that pink diamond appears due to a unique combination of factors. Up to an accuracy of 1 degree of temperature and 1 bar of pressure of natural intraterrestrial processes over many tens, hundreds, and sometimes thousands of years at a constant level.
This theory has a right to exist, since Mother Nature always makes only unique and inimitable things.
This doesn't just apply to minerals. Try to remember, for example, two absolutely identical storms or identical volcanic eruptions. Do you remember? We doubt it.
The same thing happens during the formation of diamonds in the earth's crust - a process that is still very far from being fully understood, since it occurs far from the human eye and from its direct or indirect influence.
Pink dust
The second hypothesis is a little more mundane.
It is believed that this characteristic color of a pink diamond is achieved due to the ingress of various impurities and dust into the mineral, deposits of metal compounds, including ferrous and manganese ores.
However, every time specimens of various shades and saturation were found, during examination they were found to contain elements that were sometimes unrelated to each other and could not give such a color.
It should be noted that we still do not fully know and understand the process of formation of such diamonds. This theory also has a right to exist, since it does not cause sharp rejection.
Symbiosis of theories
The third theory of origin is a symbiosis of the two listed above. That is, the formation of a pink diamond occurs when Mother Nature applies unique conditions of pressure and temperature and at the same time adds its own “colors” - interspersed with ferrous and manganese ores into the diamond layer.
This hypothesis is considered the most acceptable, because the formation of the same yellow, brown and amber diamonds involves ferrous ores and lithium particles, while the formation of blue minerals involves mainly boron particles (which, by the way, significantly change the properties of electrical conductivity and dispersion of the crystal).
Lamproite
The fourth hypothesis is considered to be unexplored, but also has every right to exist. The fact is that now the rarest diamonds on Earth are purple. They were found quite recently, on the Australian continent, more precisely in the west of the continent.
These developments are “fresh” and recently discovered. If previously the world-famous kimberlite pipe was considered the basis of all the foundations, the process of formation of diamonds in which we mentioned in previously written articles, then in Australia a completely new type of pipe has appeared - lamproite. The unique components of this variety are still little known and are only now beginning to be studied.
Lamproite is a unique component of volcanic material.
It arose as a result of the as yet unstudied, definite influence of natural factors on the erupting magma in the form of lava. This was facilitated by certain circumstances and subsequent influences over many hundreds, thousands and millions of years.
The existence of the theory is not in doubt, since new rock materials certainly testify to this. But the entire formation process has not yet been studied.
Space theory
Another, fifth, theory about the partial process of formation of pink diamonds, which also deserves attention. It is believed that some pink samples came to us from space with the help of “space guests” - meteorites. The hypothesis has the right to life, because before the existence of the atmosphere and the appearance of the Earth’s natural satellite, the Moon, they often visited us and left their traces.
High pressure drops and a sharp increase in temperature at the time of the collision of the meteorite with the earth's surface could well have provoked this process, and the millions of years that have passed since that moment simply hid the pink diamonds under a deep layer of formed ores and earth.
It should also not be denied that pink diamonds, like other varieties of this mineral, could have been brought by the uninvited guest himself. After all, most of the things from which our Universe and the things used in our world are made are carbon. Hydrogen (the second main component) is also present in space, but in this case, carbon plays a decisive role.
Which hypothesis to adhere to is up to you. We have only revealed a little more previously unknown secrets and tried to explain them to you as clearly and colorfully as possible.
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Even with high transparency and cutting quality, colorless diamonds are inferior to their fancy “colleagues-rivals” - colored diamonds. After all, any - pink, blue, blue, etc. Diamonds are found much less frequently in nature and are therefore much more valuable. The pink diamond has long been considered the rarest of colored diamonds. After the opening of the Argyle mine in Australia, the main supplier of pink diamonds, the market situation changed, and although today the pink diamond continues to be a rare stone, it is not like, for example, a red diamond. The appearance of pink color occurs due to slight deformations in the diamond crystal lattice. As mentioned above, in nature there is only one pink stone per 100 thousand diamonds. Much more rare are pink diamonds, from which, after cutting, you can get large diamonds - diamonds weighing several carats. According to the GIA system, colored diamonds are classified into nine dominant colors:
- pink,
- red,
- purple,
- brown,
- blue,
- grey,
- green,
- orange,
- yellow
Gemologists distinguish 20 shades of pink diamonds with different saturations. In order to get an idea of the variety of pink diamonds, the varieties of shades and their intensity can be represented in the form of two scales:
Difference in shades
- PP – Purple Pink
- P - Pink
- BP – Brownish Pink
- PC – Pink Champagne
Difference in color intensity
- Very Intense
- Intense
- Strong
- Medium
- Medium Light
"Pink Star" and other unique pink diamonds and diamonds
Pink Star
Until recently, they did not want to consider pink diamonds as specimens of jewelry value. Only after spectral analysis revealed nothing (literally nothing!) other than a pure diamond, these stones began to sharply gain popularity and increase in price.
The absolute record holder among pink diamonds is such a unique specimen as the Pink Star diamond. It weighs as much as 59.6 carats, and you can see its photo above.
Its setting at the moment is rightfully considered to be a ring made of an expensive and well-known metal. Do you know how much it was bought for by an unknown buyer at the well-known world auction Sotheby's for the last time? 89 million dollars or 6,942,000,000 rubles! Can you imagine this amount? Such a fabulous price automatically immediately assigned the record to a pink diamond, and subsequently to a high-quality and unique diamond.
But the private entrepreneur or jeweler (in general, incognito, who bought it) apparently did not calculate his strength and was unable to pay for it. Therefore, the auction bought the diamond back into its collection. True, for a slightly lower cost - $ 72 million, which still ranks it among the largest transactions made when purchasing a diamond.
Bright yellow ring – $16.3 million (main photo)
The star of this ring is the huge yellow diamond that adorns it and can probably even dazzle with its incredible beauty and cut through the thickest glass. It is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world and weighs over 100 carats. It was put up for auction in Geneva and sold for huge sums of money.
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The Rose Ghost diamond is one of the most expensive in the world.
Alrosa may sell the “Phantom of the Rose” diamond this year for close to a record price of $60-65 million, Bloomberg writes. The company itself indicates that it will be the most expensive ever mined and cut in Russia
The 14.83-carat pink diamond, mined and cut, will be one of the most expensive gems ever sold, Bloomberg writes.
The 27.85-carat diamond from which the diamond was created was mined by Alrosa in 2021 from one of its alluvial mines in the Far East. It was named "Nijinsky" in honor of the ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky. The name of the diamond - “The Phantom of the Rose” - was chosen in honor of the ballet staged by the Russian Seasons, of which the dancer was the star.
Colored diamonds formed under the influence of boron or nitrogen are the rarest, and pink or red stones are usually the most expensive, Iden Rakhminov, head of the board of directors of the Fancy Color Research Foundation, told the agency. He estimated the cost of the stone at $60-65 million
Purity.
Clarity is graded according to the same principle as for colorless stones. Due to their color, inclusions are not so visible and noticeable in pink diamonds. But otherwise, the principle of the value of these diamonds is the same: the fewer inclusions, the more expensive it is. It should be noted that it does not always make sense to overpay for a perfectly clean diamond if in appearance it is no different from a diamond of a lower grade. The best option may be purity in the SI1-SI2 range. In this range, defects are not visible to normal inspection and are not much different from more expensive diamonds in the VS and VVS categories.
Diamond "Pink Panther"
Few people will remember, but still. Well-known as a film and a cartoon, which was called “The Pink Panther” with the adventures of the well-known sloppy, smart and unique detective Clouseau.
Thanks to these creations, the diamond has become even more popular. A skillful and thoughtful PR campaign or a coincidence of circumstances inspired by the author of these works? It is unlikely that now, after a while, we will be able to accurately answer this question. But this diamond really exists and is worth fabulous money. Only a few can buy it, which causes both admiration for the miracle and a little sadness among less wealthy readers.
It is called, however, a little differently - “The Vivid Pink” - “Ardent Pink”, which is currently adorned with a white gold ring. The diamond weighs 5 carats.
A very delicate diamond with smooth pink tints and a unique cut only emphasizes and impresses with its unique depth and richness of color and transparent shade, which is currently estimated at 10,800,000 US dollars.
Famous pink diamond ring
It partly applies to Russians as well. It was a unique ring with a pink diamond weighing 11 carats that the modern romantic of Spanish origin Enrique Iglesias relatively recently gave to his beloved Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova, thereby surprising not only her, but the whole world. Today the ring is valued at approximately $11,000,000.
Another record holder - “Vivid Pink from Graff”
This copy is called “Vivid Pink by Graff”, which is also famous throughout the world. Have you noticed that, unlike diamond jewelry of other colors, the names of pink diamonds are practically the same?
This stunning rectangular cut piece weighs a whopping 14.23 carats. The diamond is framed in a ring made of white gold, which only emphasizes the beauty of the jewelry and a couple of additional diamonds present in the jewelry with a total weight of 3.4 carats.
At one time, this jewelry belonged to a fairly famous millionaire, whose name was Huguette Marcel Clark. In 2012, at an equally famous auction called Christie’s, a “Cushion” diamond framed in gold was sold for 15,700,000 US dollars.
This time, oddly enough, the buyer is known. This is well-known in jewelry and related fields - the owner of the world-famous jewelry house "Stettner Investment Diamonds" - Brett Stettner.
Quality criteria and cost
Such diamonds are sold at Sotheby's auction. The first stone immediately set a record: they paid $20 million for it. But the record did not last very long; another stone was sold at auction for $46 million.
The price of diamonds and pearls is determined taking into account the following criteria:
- Size and weight. Large diamonds are quite rare. Therefore, diamonds of 4-5 carats or more cost a fortune.
- Cleanliness, presence of inclusions. Any defects or the presence of impurities significantly reduce the cost of the gem. They can be detected with a magnifying glass, but to examine smaller defects you will need a microscope. A transparent stone is one that has no inclusions or stains, and should not have scratches or other damage.
- Color. Multi-colored diamonds are much rarer than colorless diamonds, which is why they are much more expensive.
- Hue, color saturation. This parameter is more difficult. If a diamond has a yellowish or brown tint, it will cost less than a mineral with a pink or purple tint. The brighter and more saturated the color, the more expensive the stone can be sold.
Not all diamonds have color due to their natural characteristics. Often this is the result of human efforts: special processing, for example, heating. The cost of 1 carat of a pink diamond starts from 100 thousand dollars, but if it is large, the price will be even higher. Thus, one bright mineral was sold for $28.5 million, weighing 16 carats. At another auction, the cost of the Pink Star stone, weighing almost 60 carats, exceeded $70 million.
The famous stone is considered to be the “Pink Graff”, weighing almost 24 carats. The mineral of a surprisingly delicate shade was sold for more than $46 million. “Martian Pink” got its name thanks to the expedition that set out to study this planet. They sold the gem in China (this country buys fancy-colored diamonds more often than others). The round diamond weighs 12 carats and was purchased for $17.5 million. Also in China, a 14-carat stone in the shape of a rectangle was sold, it was called “Perfect Pink”.
Interesting facts about pink diamonds
- Prices for these copies are not going to decrease, but will only increase. They are not subject to the laws of economics, nor to the various price lists and rules that may apply to other original classic diamonds. For example, their prices increased sharply when the main owner of pink diamond mines announced the possible closure of the mines. A dubious fact - a duck that allowed them to instantly increase their value due to their rarity.
- Jewelry containing pink diamonds, as a rule, combines only precious metals of the highest standard - yellow gold, platinum, white gold, since it is their noble origin that further emphasizes the elegance, uniqueness and romantic mood of the colors and excellent shades.
- Unique pink diamonds, and subsequently diamonds and jewelry made from them, are sold only at world-famous auctions. (And on black markets, of course). Therefore, if you are offered to buy a pink diamond in a regular branch or jewelry boutique, you should treat this with extreme caution and distrust and thoroughly check all certificates and facts of possible counterfeiting before purchasing.
- As a rule, even the acquisition of not only a unique pink mineral, but also other fantasy-colored specimens has always been a good investment, which will never fall in price, but will only increase over time. Therefore, we recommend making a reasonable, albeit expensive, investment in your future.
- Some future owners of such diamonds make an advance payment and can wait for their unique sample for several months, and sometimes a whole year!
Sources:
https://lubikamni.ru/brilliant/rozovyj.html
https://www.forbes.ru/biznes/381871-rozovyy-brilliant-iz-rossii-mozhet-stat-odnim-iz-samyh-dorogih-v-mire
