Pink diamond

Numerous theories have been posited as to how the pink is formed in pink diamonds. The prevailing theory is that the pink is caused when the diamond is subjected to enormous pressure during its formation. A similar theory is being tested on pink diamonds that originated in the Argyle Mine in Kimberley, Western Australia. This theory posits that a seismic shock propelled colorless diamonds to the surface and altered their molecular structure, causing them to appear pink.[4][5]

The same four basic parameters that govern the grading of all gemstones are used to grade pink diamonds–the four Cs of connoisseurship: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Color is considered the most important criterion in grading a pink diamond and determining its value. However, size is an important consideration as well. The larger a pink diamond, and the better its color, the more valuable it will be.[6] One of the most famous pink diamonds is the Pink Star — at 59.60-carats, this type IIa diamond is the largest vivid pink diamond in the world. In 2014, auction buyer was unable to pay the promised sum and was subsequently forced to default on its purchase.[7] Among famous pink diamonds; the Daria-i-Noor is the largest pink diamond in the world, measured at 182 carats; together with the Noor-ul-Ain, it is the oldest known pink diamond, both belonging to the Iranian crown jewels.[8]

A lab grown diamond is chemically the same as a mined diamond but its value is proportionally lower. Therefore, a lab grown pink diamond does not have the value of a natural pink diamond. Currently the only successful method to grow an artificial pink diamond is the chemical vapor deposition method (CVD).[18] A gem quality CVD pink diamond undergoes a process where a colorless diamond has an imperfection introduced into the diamond's lattice structure.[19]

Pink diamonds have been found in Brazil, Russia, Siberia, South Africa, Tanzania and Canada.[20] Pink diamonds were first discovered in India, in the Kollur mine in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh (which at the time was part of the Golconda kingdom), one of two of the earliest known diamonds are thought to have originated.[21][22][23] Concurrently, and throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, pink diamonds were being discovered in the Minas Gerais region of Brazil.[24] Pink diamonds are still occasionally found in the Golconda mine and in Brazil but to date, 80% of the world's pink diamonds now originate from the Argyle mine in Kimberley, Western Australia. Out of the mine's 20 million carat annual output, only 0.1% are classified as pink diamonds. After the diamonds are polished, the total carats of pink diamonds becomes smaller still. This makes pink diamonds not only rare but also difficult to obtain, as all interested buyers of pink diamonds around the world are consequently fixed on Argyle pink diamonds.[25]

The earliest known pink diamonds are the Daria-i-noor and the Noor-ul-ain diamonds which are both part of the Iranian crown jewels.[26]

In 1947, Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II, received a 23.6-carat pink diamond from Canadian geologist Dr. John Williamson, who had it set as a brooch designed as a jonquil by Cartier, and which remains one of her favorites.[27]

A pink diamond called Pink Panther, the largest in the world, is the MacGuffin of the 1963 film of the same name.

In 2002, when Ben Affleck proposed to Jennifer Lopez with a 6.1-carat pink diamond engagement ring. This catapulted pink diamonds into the popular mindset, triggering an immense surge in pink diamond prices that still exists today.[28]

An enormous pink diamond was one of the central focuses in the 2006 film Blood Diamond, surrounded by the depictions of conflict diamonds mined and sold to fund civil wars and diamond companies.

The popularity of pink diamonds rose in November 2013, when the 59.6-carat Pink Star diamond was bid on at auction in Geneva for $83 million by New York diamond cutter Isaac Wolf, then renamed the Pink Dream. Wolf ultimately defaulted, creating a scandal in the fancy color diamond world, forcing auctioneer Sotheby's to pay the owners the promised sum. [29]

On 3 April 2017, Southeby's again auctioned the Pink Star, in Hong Kong, which sold to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises for a record 71.2 million USD (553 million Hong Kong dollars, including fees).[30]

Prior to Southeby's Pink Star diamond sale, the record price paid for a pink diamond was held by the 16.08 carat Sweet Josephine Diamond, which had sold to Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau, in 2015, for $28.5 million. (One day later, he also purchased the 12.03 carat Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond for $48.5 million. Both diamonds were bought as gifts for his daughter, Josephine, born in 2008, as was the 7.03-carat Blue Moon diamond, which he renamed the Star of Josephine diamond, purchased in 2009 for $9.5 million.)[31][32]

An anthropomorphic diamond known as Pink Diamond is a member of the Great Diamond Authority in Steven Universe, which depicts the fallout of her death and the mystery behind it.

• List of minerals
• Diamonds as an investment
• List of diamonds

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pink diamonds.

• Hofer S.C. (1998). “Collecting and Classifying Colored Diamonds: An Illustrated Study of the Aurora Collection” New York: Ashland Press. ISBN 0965941019
• Liddicoat, R.T. (1993). “The GIA Diamond Dictionary” Santa Monica, CA: Gemological Institute of America. ISBN 0873110269
• Rachminov, Eden (2009). “The Fancy Color Diamond Book: Facts and Secrets of Trading in Rarities” New York: Diamond Odyssey. ISBN 9659149905