Pink Diamonds
Ever since their arrival on the world stage, pink diamonds have thrilled, seduced and inspired connoisseurs from around the world. Being the rarest and most valuable natural commodity on earth.
To own a natural pink diamond is to experience a sense of timelessness cradled in the palm of your hand.
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Pink Diamonds Origin
The story of the pink diamond is almost as captivating as the rare gem itself. Across the breadth of 1.6 billion years, on a journey from the Earth’s centre, the most intriguing diamond in history emerges, with an exquisite beauty that is both regal and mesmerizing. The Australian pink diamond’s spectacular outback origin can be seen in this marvel that depicts every shade of the desert sunset, from a cherry blossom pink, a soft rose, an alluring violet to a dramatic red.
Pink Diamonds Colour Grading
The three attributes, which determine the colour grade of a pink diamond, are:
Hue
The dominant colour of the diamond. Sometimes there is a modifying colour or tint that affect the hue. For example, a diamond with a pink hue may have a purplish tint.
Saturation
The strength in the pink of the hue. Hue saturation in pink diamonds can range from light to intense, and at the strongest, the saturation is said to be vivid.
Tone
Round
Brilliant Shape
Just like in the white diamond world, a round brilliant shape will always sell for a premium over a traditional or modified fancy shape. This is because of their additional cutting wastage. Logically, most people think that a round cut is the best option to invest in, and this concept is an interesting one as ADI has found over the past 11 years that round pink diamonds up to 0.39ct in size will always be a fantastic investment but round pink diamonds larger than 0.50ct will generally return a lower profit margin due to the initial higher purchase price. There are also fewer buyers at the top end of the pink diamond price market.
Modified
Fancy Shape
This may at first look interesting, and will generally sell at a discount over a round brilliant or traditional fancy shape. However, when it comes to profit building, regardless of how nice the colour appears, these should be avoided. When it comes time to sell the pink diamond, potential buyers will be so few that you may have to sell at a heavy discount. The majority of pink diamond investors will not step too far away from what is considered an established investment.
Traditional
Fancy Shape
These shapes are abundant and offer a wider selection of tones and saturations in a pink hue. Normally selling at a reduced price over an equivalent round brilliant, these are very popular with mainstream investors. For this reason alone you are more likely to return a greater profit over a round brilliant or modified fancy shape. Choosing a traditional fancy shape or round shape under 0.39ct will strengthen your buyer audience.
Rare and Luxurious Investments
Pink diamonds are recognized as extremely luxurious items. The increase in rarity together with their popularity has significantly driven pink diamond prices up. Consequently, they are often utilized as additions to investment portfolios as excellent alternative investments.
All diamonds are assessed by the same four main attributes of diamond quality: Colour, Cut, Clarity, and Carat weight. However, unlike white diamonds where the 4Cs are of the same importance, the colour of any Fancy Coloured diamond is the most significant characteristic of all.
Secondary Pink Diamond Hues
Similar to other coloured diamonds, a pure pink diamond without a secondary hue is more valuable. However, as a result of its magnificent appearance, a purplish pink diamond is also considered a desirable investment. Most pink diamonds in today’s market are labelled by the GIA with any of the following overtone colours: Purple, Purplish, Brown, Brownish, Grayish, Orangey, Brownish Orangey, and Brownish Purple.
Brownish Pink Diamonds (Top Row)
Fancy Brownish Purple Pink, Fancy Light Brownish Pink, Fancy Brownish Pink, Fancy Deep Brownish Pink, Light Brown Pink, Fancy Brown Pink, Fancy Deep Brown Pink, Fancy Brownish Orangey Pink
Orangey Pink Diamonds (Second Row)
Light Pink Diamonds (Third Row)
Intense Pink Diamonds (Fourth Row)
Vivid Deep Pink Diamonds (Fifth Row)
Pink Diamond Colour Intensities
Australian Pink Diamonds
Pink diamonds are found in a small number of diamond mines throughout the world. However, more than any other, only the Australian pink diamond mine, the Argyle, has been known as the largest source of high quality pink diamonds. In fact, the colouring of stones found from this mine is so unique that experienced diamantaires can often identify the origin of the diamond by looking closely into the stone. The pink colouring of an Australian pink diamond is so vibrant that these pink diamonds, regardless of the size, are considered excellent investments.
Pink Diamond Colour Grading
In 2007 the Australian pink diamond mine updated their colour grading system and added a ninth intensity grade, and changed the grade named Brownish-Pink – BP to Pink Rosé – PR. This more correctly describes the colour of these diamonds.
Pink Diamond Grading before 2007
Pink Diamond Grading after 2007
What Causes Pink Diamond Colour
The unique colours in the stones are caused by different trace minerals within the compound elements of the diamonds. Depending on the origin of the stones, meaning where it is from, certain minerals are more present – therefore increasing the presence of specific colours in certain areas.
Unlike yellow diamonds where the colour is caused from significant amounts of nitrogen; blue diamonds where the colour is attributed to the presence of boron; purple or violet diamonds where the colours are caused by hydrogen atoms remaining in the stone, or green diamonds where the colour is caused by exposure to atomic radiation or radioactivity – the cause of the pink diamond colour remains unresolved. Scientific evidence has shown that pink diamonds contain high pressure graining which results in a compressed internal structure, and that is thought to contribute to the colour. Within the industry, this is referred to as ‘plastic deformation,’ which occurs during the crystal growth.
As a result of the increased pressure, it is extremely difficult to find a pink coloured diamond with a high clarity grade. In fact, most natural pink diamonds often contain pink internal graining lines or surface graining lines within the atomic structure of the stones.
Pink Diamond Jewellery
Even with the relatively high prices of pink diamonds, as a result of their exquisite colours, they are often used in various designs of colour diamond jewellery such as pink diamond engagement rings, pink diamond earrings, and pink diamond pendants.
Natural pink diamonds have always been seen among the very rich and famous. Even today, many of the Hollywood stars adorn themselves with the most glamorous pieces of pink diamond jewellery. Just some of the more famous examples include Ben Affleck, who presented an unbelievably gorgeous 6.00 carat pink diamond ring to Jennifer Lopez. Mariah Carey’s diamond engagement ring contains a 10.02 carat pink emerald cut diamond; and Penelope Ann Miller was happy to show off her 3.00 carat radiant cut pink diamond ring at the 2012 Academy Awards.
