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2017 was a year of sensational auctions as the headlines were full of awesome jewels and dizzying figures that went with them. And for natural fancy color diamonds, it became another record breaking year.
The GIA reported that in 2017, more than $1.1 billion worth of extreme top-end diamonds, colored gems and jewelry, were sold at auctions by the world’s most renowned houses. And that the highest bids throughout the year went, as usual, to the large, natural color diamonds – mostly pink and blue.
This shows that popularity of investing in diamonds is going strong, and the color diamonds continue to dominate the highest-demand.
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April, 4 at Sotheby’s in Hong-Kong:
After five minutes of bidding, a 59.60-carat, internally flawless, fancy vivid pink diamond, "The Pink Star", broke the record of the highest price ever paid for a jewel - $71.1 million ($1.19 million per carat).
It was bought by Chow Tai Fook, a Hong Kong-based retail jewelry chain, and it was renamed as "The CTF Pink Star" after the company’s initials.
Another color diamond that stood out among the rest was a fancy orangy pink diamond ring - cut cornered rectangular, modified brilliant cut diamond - weighing 11.44 carats. It was sold for $2,792,790.
But the final record setter was none other than an extremely fine, fancy intense blue diamond, and diamond ring, weighing 3.13 carats. And what was the record breaking price? It was $4,790,858 ( $1.53 million per carat).
- May, 16 at Sotheby’s in Geneva:
“The Apollo and Artemis Diamonds” became the most valuable pair of mismatched earrings ever sold at auctions. The price tag that made the pair famous was US$57,425,478.
This mismatched pair is composed of - a pear shaped, fancy vivid blue diamond, weighing 14.54 carats, (sold for $42,087,302), and a pear shaped, fancy intense pink diamond of fine color, weighing 16.00 carats, (sold for $15,338,176).
On the same day, fancy intense purplish pink diamond ring from Piaget, weighing 7.04 carats, achieved the price of $13,245,750.
And here are more world-wide 2017 diamond blockbusters worth checking out:
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April 25, 2017 - Sotheby’s, New York:
A fancy vivid green diamond, weighing 1.64 carats, flanked by two cut-cornered triangle shaped diamonds, weighing approximately 0.65 carats, fetched $1,212,500.
- October 3, 2017 - Sotheby’s, Hong-Kong:
An emerald-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond, weighing 20.03 carats, mounted in 18 carat white gold, was sold for $2,086,400.
What could $1,118,720 get you? For one thing, a modified cushion shaped, fancy vivid purplish pink diamond, weighing 2.86 carats, flanked by two shield shaped diamonds, mounted in white and pink gold.
- November 14, 2017 - Christie’s, Geneva:
“Le Grand Mazarin”, a 19.07 carats, fancy light pink, which had been part of the French crown jewels, was handed to a buyer willing to pay $14.5 million.
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November 15, 2017 - Sotheby’s, Genève :
A 33.63 ct fancy light pink diamond mounted as a ring by Harry Winston around 1970 achieved the record price of $12,818,240
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November, 28, 2017 - Christie’s, Hong-Kong:
"The Pink Promise”, a 14.93 carats, oval shaped fancy vivid pink, VVS1, was sold for more than $32.1 million (approximately $2.13 million per carat). This stone was recertified from fancy intense pink to fancy vivid pink by the GIA after its cutting from 16.21 carats to 14.93 carats.
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December 5, 2017 - Sotheby’s, New York:
A 5.69-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, VVS1, flanked by baguette diamonds and mounted in a ring, fetched more than $15.1 million.
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December 6, 201- Christie’s, New York:
A hefty sum of $12.6 million was paid for two pear modified, brilliant cut fancy vivid blue diamonds, weighing approximately 3.36 and 2.71 carats, and respectively VVS2 and VS1, mounted in a platinum ring.
As no two color diamonds are exactly alike, the natural fancy color diamond market is truly unique. And the numbers reflect the value of its originality and worth. Fancy color diamonds prices increased 122% in the past decade.
From January of 2009 to the end of September 2016 alone, the price of pink diamonds went up 170%. And pink and blue diamonds were up about 90% and 70%.
The Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF) published the results for Q4 2017 and stressed that, “Continuing the trend throughout 2017, prices of fancy blue color diamonds in Q4 increased 2,6% with fancy intense and fancy vivid blues performing best, especially in the 1ct an 5ct categories.”
Auctions this year, 2018, continue to reflect the ongoing trend of this wise investment, as investors from all over the world actively invest in natural fancy color diamonds.
One thing in the future may not be hard to predict. Looks like 2018 will again be a record breaking year for natural color diamonds.
By YDCDL - Langerman Diamonds
Sources: GIA, Christie's , Sotheby's, The Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF), United States Gold Bureau.
Picture courtesy: Christie's , Sotheby's
Step into the mesmerizing world of natural Pink diamonds, synonymous of elegance and sophistication. These exquisite gems have stolen the spotlight in the realm of fine jewelry, captivating the hearts of fashion enthusiasts around the globe.
In this article, we’ll explore the enchanting features of Fancy Pink diamonds, uncovering their origins, possible tones, and the growing fascination around them. As we delve into their unique characteristics, you’ll learn how they compare to other popular pink gemstones, revealing the distinct advantages that set them apart.
The Origin Of Their Mesmerising Hues
Fancy Pink diamonds are the result of a remarkable geological process that lasted millions of years. During their formation process, atomic traces of minerals such as hydrogen, nitrogen, or boron were introduced into their crystalline structure, resulting in impressive hues.
However, another scientific theory states that the pink hue comes from a deformation in the crystal lattice of the stone, a phenomenon caused by extreme pressure.
Whichever the cause, thanks to our Earth’s natural transformations, today we get to enjoy the exceptional shades of Pink diamonds.
From delicate pastel tones reminiscent of blooming cherry blossoms to intense, vivid shades that command attention, natural Pink diamonds offer a diverse palette of hues that ignite the imagination.
Rarity And A Growing Fascination
The allure of these unique stones lies not only in their enchanting beauty but also in their rarity.
As luxury enthusiasts and jewelry connoisseurs seek to come in possession of the most exclusive and coveted pieces, the interest surrounding fancy pink diamonds continues to grow. With the recent closure of the renowned Argyle mine in Australia, a significant source of Pink diamonds, their scarcity has skyrocketed.
Pink Diamond’s Unparalleled Properties
Brilliance
The refractive index of a diamond is approximately 2.42. This high refractive index is one of the factors that contribute to the exceptional brilliance and sparkle that diamonds are renowned for. The high refractive index allows diamonds to bend and reflect light in a way that creates maximum dispersion and brilliance, resulting in their captivating play of light and fire. It is this unique optical property that sets diamonds apart from other gemstones and contributes to their timeless allure and desirability.
Hardness
Diamonds are renowned for their exceptional hardness, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale, which is the highest possible rating. This remarkable property makes diamonds highly resistant to scratching and abrasion, ensuring their longevity and durability even with daily wear.
The hardness of a diamond contributes significantly to its value. Diamonds are prized for their ability to withstand the rigors of everyday use without losing their beauty or succumbing to damage. This durability ensures that diamond jewelry, such as engagement rings and heavily worn pieces, can be cherished forever and passed down through generations.
What About Other Pink Gemstones?
Tourmaline
This pink gemstone is often used in jewelry for its vibrant color. Pink tourmaline can be found in various parts of the world, including Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, and the United States. Each location may produce unique variations in color and quality, making it more complicated for the regular customer to understand how to measure and compare characteristics.
Tourmaline ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs' scale of hardness, making it moderately durable, but relatively softer compared to Pink diamonds. With a refractive index between 1.624 and 1.644, pink tourmaline exhibits a good amount of brilliance and light dispersion.
Pink quartz
This mineral showcases a soft, delicate pink hue that does not typically offer much sparkle. There are multiple levels of transparency available, from very translucent to milky opaque or smoky with yellow or brown undertones.
Scoring a 7 on the Mohs scale, pink quartz is relatively durable and suitable for some types of jewelry. However, it is still important to protect it from impact, and best suitable for earrings and low-wear pieces.
Pink Sapphire
The intensity of its color depends on the place of origin and the combination of trace elements present within its crystal structure.
With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, pink sapphires are very durable and resistant, making them suitable for all kinds of jewelry pieces. However, they are more prone to scratches than diamonds.
Kunzite
Kunzite is quite affordable because it’s relatively unknown although it can be found in many places like Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, and the USA.
Like most color stones, kunzite can be undergo irradiation or heat treatments to enhance its color. Exposure to heat and bright light can cause color in both natural and treated kunzite to fade over time.
Morganite
Most morganite deposits are found in Brazil, but the highest quality specimens come from Madagascar. Typically, morganite enjoys a high transparency with minimal inclusions resulting in clear, polished stones.
Scoring a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, Morganite is safe and durable enough for jewelry.
Your Best Choice: Pink Diamonds
There are multiple options to choose from to create a jewel with pink gemstones. However, they all fall short when compared to the durability and brilliance of natural Pink diamonds. With sources becoming more scarce while demand continues grows, Pink diamonds keep appreciating in value making them a better financial choice when compared to other gemstones which tend to loose value in the resale marker. Pink diamonds present multiple advantages for their investment potential and as a valuable asset to be passed on for generations.
When purchasing color gemstones, it’s important the buyer requests a professional laboratory report that discloses any enhancements to make an informed decision. Unfortunately for most consumers, it’s hard to find full-detailed information on a finished jewelry piece and it requires additional effort and inquiries to confirm the quality of a gemstone.
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Langerman Diamonds has over 50 years of expertise in sourcing and trading natural color diamonds. Explore our online inventory and contact us to learn more about the purchasing process.