Have you ever wondered what the most expensive gemstone in the world is? Surprisingly, it’s not a diamond but a pink diamond known as the Pink Star. This extraordinary gem, a 59.60-carat fancy vivid pink diamond, made headlines in 2017 when it fetched a staggering $71.2 million, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a gemstone at auction. In this exploration, we delve into the origin, characteristics, history, and significance that make the Pink Star the unparalleled treasure that it is.
Origin of the Pink Star
De Beers mined the Pink Star in 1999 in South Africa, originally weighing an impressive 132.5 carats in its raw form. The diamond’s captivating color is a result of “plastic deformation” during its formation, where intense pressure and heat alter the crystal structure, displacing carbon atoms and creating defects that absorb specific light wavelengths. In the Pink Star’s case, these defects absorb blue and green wavelengths, leaving behind the mesmerizing pink hue.
Characteristics of the Pink Star
A mixed oval brilliant-cut diamond with a step-cut crown and a brilliant-cut pavilion, the Pink Star weighs 59.60 carats and measures 2.69 x 2.06 x 1.36 cm. Graded as Fancy Vivid Pink by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the highest color grade for pink diamonds, the Pink Star also boasts an Internally Flawless rating, indicating no visible inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification. With excellent symmetry and polish, the diamond exhibits a medium blue fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
History of the Pink Star
Originally named the Steinmetz Pink when unveiled in 2003 by the Beny Steinmetz Group, the Pink Star became part of the Smithsonian’s “The Splendor of Diamonds” exhibit in 2003. Renamed the Pink Star by its anonymous new owner in 2007, the diamond went up for auction in 2013 at Sotheby’s Geneva, fetching an astounding $83.2 million. However, the buyer defaulted, and the diamond returned to Sotheby’s. In 2017, Sotheby’s Hong Kong auctioned the Pink Star for $71.2 million to its current owner, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, who renamed it the CTF Pink Star.
Significance of the Pink Star
The Pink Star is not just a gemstone; it’s an embodiment of extraordinary beauty, rarity, and value. As one of the largest natural pink diamonds ever discovered, and with an impeccable GIA grade, the Pink Star stands as a symbol of nature’s brilliance and human craftsmanship. Achieving legendary status in the world of gemology and jewelry, it serves as a testament to prestige and glamour, capturing the admiration of celebrities, royalty, and collectors. The Pink Star is undeniably the most expensive gemstone globally, a timeless treasure destined to captivate generations to come.
