The world’s largest purple and pink diamond has broken auction house records this week by selling for $29 million.
Known as, “The Sakura,” the purple and pink diamond weighs in at almost 16 carats and is set in platinum and gold. This ring beat out the previous record holder, “The Spirit of the Rose,” which was almost 15 carats and was sold for $27 million last year.
The Sakura was cut from a larger diamond that was discovered in Northeast Russia and weighed almost 28 carats. The Sakura has been classified as a “fancy vivid,” which is a designation that is only given to less than 4% of pink diamonds. The term references the stone’s depth of color and it’s lack of internal blemishes or flaws. This means that if there are any kinds of blemishes, you would need a very powerful microscope to be able to see them.
The naked eye is incapable of picking up these kinds of imperfections. As such, it was able to fetch such a high bid.
Pink diamonds are not known for being big. In fact, according to CNBC, most pink diamonds tend to be smaller than 10 carats. The rare size of this pink diamond also adds to the value, because it’s unlikely that another one of this weight will be found.
It’s estimated that only 1% of pink diamonds are said to be larger than 10 carats.
According to the Cape Town Diamond Museum, here are the top 8 amazing facts about pink diamonds. Some of these may surprise you!
1. Pink Diamonds Originate Mostly From Australia
The majority (90%) of pink diamonds are sourced from Australia at the Argyle mine.
2. Pink Diamonds Are Created Differently
Pink diamonds at the Argyle Mine are sourced from a volcanic lamproite pipe.
3. They Are Exceedingly Rare
Less than 1% of the Argyle mine’s output are actually pink diamonds. This means that for every one million carats of rough diamonds mined at Argyle, only one carat of pink diamonds are suitable for selling.
4. More Difficult to Polish
Pink diamonds have a more complicated structure than white diamonds and can take three to four times as long to polish.
5. Their Color Is a Mystery
Scientists aren’t entirely sure how this happens. They theorize that the structure of the diamond is compromised when it is pushed towards the Earth’s surface, causing the color.
6. All Pink Diamonds Are Not Created Equal
Pink diamonds come in all different shades, and just like other colored diamonds, they can be graded faint, very light, light, fancy light, fancy intense, fancy deep and fancy vivid. The more intense the color of the diamond, the higher the price of the diamond.
7. Highly Valuable
Pink diamonds may cost up to 20 times the price of its white diamond equivalent. According to the Argyle Mine, one carat pink diamond can cost from $100,000 up to $1 million.
8. Famous Pink Examples
One of the most well-known examples of the pink diamond is the Daria-i-Noor. It is known as the largest cut diamond in the world, weighing in at 186 carats.
We hope you enjoyed this little fact sheet on the pink diamond.
What do you think? Is the unique color of this diamond worth the price tag? Let us know in the comments or follow us on Instagram to let us know your thoughts.
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