A pink diamond is a coveted treasure, prized for its rarity and exquisite color. But what makes this pastel-colored gem so unique? And where can you find one? Let's dive into the world of pink diamonds and uncover the secrets behind their allure.
What is a pink diamond called?
Plenty of names are given to the category of pink-colored diamonds, and a specific grading/naming scale is used for properly identifying and rating one’s color.
- General names for pink diamonds: “Pink diamond" is the most common term for these captivating gemstones. The phrase "fancy pink diamond" is also frequently used, especially in the diamond industry, to distinguish these colored diamonds from their colorless counterparts. For a more poetic and romantic touch, "rose diamond" is often used interchangeably with “pink diamond."
- The fancy pink diamond color scale: Gemologists use a fancy-colored grading scale to accurately assess the depth and intensity of a pink diamond's color. Pink diamonds are categorized as follows: fancy light pink, fancy pink, fancy intense pink, fancy vivid pink, and fancy deep pink. These terms provide a standardized way to describe the color characteristics of these diamonds.
- Honorary pink diamond terminology: If you spend enough time around jewelry or are actively looking to purchase a pink diamond, you might come across a few other terms. "Argyle pink diamond" may be used to identify pink diamonds specifically sourced from Australia’s Argyle mine, while “natural pink diamond” may be used to emphasize that a diamond’s pink color is naturally occurring, not artificially created.
Where are pink diamonds found?
Miners don’t stumble upon pink diamonds regularly. While they've been discovered in several countries, the overwhelming majority originate from a single location: the Argyle mine in Western Australia. This mine produced roughly 90% of the world's pink diamonds. Though less common, pink diamonds have also been unearthed in places like India, South Africa, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Brazil.
Why Western Australia? Researchers have recently discovered that this site, known for producing pink diamonds, was formed about 1.3 billion years ago during the breakup of the ancient supercontinent, Nuna. This breakup weakened the Earth's crust, bringing diamonds toward the Earth's surface via magma.
Additionally, most pink diamonds get their color from a unique distortion or shift in their atoms, causing the diamond to reflect light in a way that produces a pink hue. This shifting of atoms often occurs when diamonds experience collisions, which can occur with the shifting of plate tectonics.
How rare are pink diamonds?
Pink diamonds are the epitome of rarity. Less than one percent of all diamonds mined are fancy colored, and an even smaller fraction of those are pink. To put it into perspective, for every one million carats of rough diamonds mined at the Argyle mine, only about one carat of pink diamonds was suitable for sale. This extreme “one-in-a-million" scarcity, combined with their breathtaking beauty, makes pink diamonds so sought after and valuable.
Types of pink diamonds
Pink diamond types are classified by whether or not they contain nitrogen, similar to colorless diamond types:
- Type I pink diamonds: Type I diamonds contain nitrogen impurities. Most pink diamonds are Type I. Nitrogen weakens a diamond's structure, allowing atoms to shift more easily under extreme heat and pressure after formation. Roughly 99.5% of pink diamonds are a result of this structural distortion.
- Type II pink diamonds: Very few pink diamonds are categorized as Type II diamonds, which do not contain nitrogen. The pink of these Type II pink diamonds is believed to result from trace amounts of other elements.
Famous pink diamonds
People love showing off their valuable diamonds—even more so when they are big, beautiful and rare. Here are a few of the most famous ones:
- Queen Elizabeth’s Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch: Gifted to her by Canadian geologist John Thorburn Williamson on her wedding day in 1947, the late Queen wore the brooch on many occasions, including the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
- Steinmetz Pink diamond: Unveiled to the world in 2003, the Steinmetz Pink diamond (also known as the Pink Star diamond) is a 59.60-carat vivid pink diamond—the third-largest pink diamond and the largest fancy vivid pink diamond in the world. This “flawless” diamond has a mixed cut, offering a unique combination of brilliance, clarity, and color.
- Rose of Dubai diamond: The flawless, fancy pink, pear-shaped Rose of Dubai diamond weighs 25.02 carats. Lacking nitrogen impurities, the diamond is categorized as a Type IIA diamond and sold for $6 million in 2005. Also lacking are details about its discovery. However, some researchers believe it originated in the Premier Diamond Mines of South Africa because of its size and composition.
- Martian Pink diamond: With an intense pink color and lack of secondary hues such as purple, orange or gray, the Martian Pink diamond is stunning. With a name inspired by the 1976 launch of the U.S. satellite to Mars, this 12.04-carat diamond’s color closely resembles Mars' pinkish-red hue. Also categorized as a Type IIA diamond, the round brilliant cut diamond is mounted on an 18k gold ring and was sold at auction for $17.4 million in 2012.
- Graff Pink diamond: The Graff Pink diamond is an exceptionally rare pink diamond that reigned in $45.6 million at auction in 2010, making history as the most expensive single jewel ever sold at an auction. The modified emerald-cut pink diamond is mounted on a silver ring, accompanied by two shield-shaped white diamonds. The diamond’s original cut weight was 24.78 carats; however, it was re-cut and re-polished in 2010 to a weight of 23.88 carats. This re-cutting increased the diamond’s color grading to Fancy Vivid Pink, the highest color grading attainable by a colored stone. The re-cut also removed imperfections, improving its clarity grading to Internally Flawless.
- The Noor-ul-Ain: The Noor-ul-Ain, meaning "Light of the Eye," is a magnificent 60-carat fancy pink diamond that graces the Iranian Crown Jewels. Its origins trace back to the Golconda mines in India, and is believed to have been discovered in the 17th century. The diamond was once part of India’s legendary Peacock Throne but was later acquired by the Persians. In 1958, the Noor-ul-Ain, featuring 324 pink, yellow and white diamonds, became the centerpiece of a stunning tiara designed for Iranian Empress Farah Pahlavi to wear at her wedding to the Shah of Iran.
- The Daria-i-Noor: Another pink diamond that calls the Iranian Crown Jewels home is the Daria-i-Noor, meaning “River of Light.” Weighing roughly 186 carats, this famous pink diamond’s size and pale blush hue make it extremely rare and valuable. Also originating in India's Golconda mines, it was once part of India's Mughal Empire's diamond collection before being acquired by Persian rulers.
Where to get a pink diamond
Not all pink diamonds are famous. Not all pink diamonds weigh dozens of carats. And not all pink diamonds cost millions of dollars. If you’re in the market for a beautiful, pink diamond of your own, here are a few places to start your search:
- Reputable jewelers: Look for jewelers with a strong reputation and experience dealing with precious gemstones. They should provide you with certifications and appraisals to ensure the diamond's authenticity and quality.
- Online retailers: Some online retailers offer a wide selection of pink diamonds, often at competitive prices. Take your time in selecting a reputable online platform and carefully research the seller's policies and customer reviews.
- Diamond auctions: Auctions can be an exciting option for those seeking unique or rare pink diamonds. However, keep in mind that auctions can be quite competitive.
- Gem and mineral shows: These events bring together dealers and collectors from around the world. You may just get lucky enough to find a pink diamond for yourself here.
- Direct from miners or suppliers: Chances are you don’t have a diamond miner in your phone as a contact, but if you are looking for a more direct approach, consider contacting diamond miners or suppliers. While not the most conventional approach, they may offer exclusive access to pink diamonds, potentially with better pricing. Or, at the very least, they may be able to point you in the right direction.
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