Colored diamonds are incredibly highly valued not only because of their unprecedented rarity, but also because of their beauty. A pink diamond is one of the most incredible phenomena, the rarest variety among all colored diamonds. Scientists still do not know for certain the true reasons for this color of stones.
This secret not only does not stop, but also spurs the interest of investors, traders, jewelers. The demand for these stones at the largest auctions in the world has only been growing over the years.
Scientific hypotheses
Scientists know that the reason for the coloring of nuggets in different colors is the presence of chemical impurities. They absorb light, accumulate it and give the diamond a particular shade. For example, a yellow diamond owes its color to nitrogen molecules, and a blue color is due to boron. But why the diamond is pink, no one knows. The fact is that it does not have any impurities in its composition, its formula completely coincides withformula of transparent diamonds of pure water. This led scientists to the idea that the unique color is a consequence of some kind of seismic effect that the rock was subjected to at some point. According to this hypothesis, seismic activity is the reason why the molecular structure of a diamond changes, which gives it its characteristic color. The theory of seismic impact has not yet found scientific confirmation, numerous studies are ongoing, but so far it has not been possible to say exactly why the diamond is pink. And this unique stone continues to delight and attract those who are at least somewhat familiar with jewelry and mineralogy.
Production
The diamond, whose pink hue remains unique even with the development of modern technology, is mined in Western Australia. The Argyle Mine is the largest mine in the world. And even at this deposit, it remains the rarest find. In total, prospectors manage to find a few diamonds of this shade a year.
Trying to discover the secret of the pink color of diamonds, experts are looking for answers to many questions. Some of them are even connected with the history of the origin and development of our planet.
It is known that the formation of most diamonds began billions of years ago. By examining these stones, you can learn a lot about the history of the Earth, as they are a kind of "time capsule".
Research
Australian pink diamonds have been repeatedly studied in detail at the molecular level. Trying to discoverthe presence of impurities that affect the pink color of the diamond, scientists subject the stones to mass spectrometric analysis. As a result of research, impurities were not detected. Spectrometric measurements fully confirmed this conclusion.
Another curious experiment was carried out. The diamond was exposed to a focused ion beam, as a result of which a depression was made on its surface. Scientists extracted silver from it, which was also subjected to research. The result was the discovery that the pink diamond is not completely, but fragmentary. Geologists call this phenomenon twin planes and claim they are the result of volcanic activity.
Record breakers
Just a couple of decades ago, these stones were of interest only to geologists. Jewelers, on the other hand, did not consider pink diamonds to be of any interest.
Today everything has changed. The record holder for value is considered to be Graff Pink - a pink diamond, the photo of which is famous all over the world. Its weight exceeds 24 carats, which is a real miracle. After all, quite rare stones are almost never so huge.
It was sold in Geneva in 2010 at Sotheby's for $46 million. Today, it is considered one of the most expensive gemstones in the world.
The absolute record holder is the "Pink Star" stone framed in a ring. Its weight is 59.6 carats, and the price for which the buyer agreed to buy it at the Sotheby's auction reached $83 million. It made himthe most expensive stone in history. However, later it became known that the buyer did not pay for the purchase, and the auction bought the unique diamond back for $72 million.
The most expensive pink diamond jewelry
The world's top ten most expensive gemstone rings also include colored diamonds.
Including Anna Kournikova's pink diamond engagement ring, given to her by celebrity fiancé Enrique Iglesias. It is crowned with a drop-shaped stone weighing 11 carats. Experts estimate the ring at $6 million.
Vivid Pink by Graff is the iconic gold ring set with a pair of clear and one 5 carat pink diamond. The color of the stone is very delicate, with mother-of-pearl tints, and the unique cut emphasizes its richness and depth. The cost of this ring is $10.8 million.
"Superb Pink" is a 14.23 carat rectangular diamond. It was sold at Christie's for $23.2 million. The gemstone is set in a white gold ring, and its deep color is set off by a pair of clear diamonds totaling 3.4 carats.
"Pink Clark" is another record-breaking ring that once belonged to Huguette Marcel Clark, an American millionaire. In 2012, it was auctioned off by Christie's for $15.7 million. A unique pink cushion-cut diamond set in gold. new ownerthe legendary ring was Brett Stettner, owner of Stettner Investment Diamonds.
The famous gem with the sonorous name "Martian Pink" weighing 17 carats has a rare round shape and a stunning cut. This stone was purchased by an anonymous buyer at Christie's for $17.4 million.
Pink diamonds in jewelry
Not all of these stones go to auctions for fabulous sums. Eminent jewelry houses offer their clients wonderful jewelry, framing unique diamonds in a decent setting. Often these stones are used by such famous jewelers as Tiffany, Chopard, Cartier, Bulgari.
It is believed that only precious metals of the highest standard are suitable for these stones, so jewelers combine platinum, white or rose gold with diamonds.
But even if there is a very small stone of a unique shade in the ring, its cost will be hundreds of thousands of dollars per carat. This is due to the huge purchase price of the rarest pink diamonds.
Prospects
Experts say that jewelry with a real natural pink diamond is not just a beautiful thing and not even just a status purchase, but also a smart investment.
These stones will rise in price. A particular surge in demand for pink diamonds and polished diamonds came after Rio Tino, the owner of the Australian copies, announced that he intendsclose mines by 2019.
