May 22, 2025
By: Editorial Staff
Rare and remarkable, the soft yet vibrant hues of a pink diamond set it apart from other gems. While colorless diamonds are admired for their brilliance, pink ones captivate with their spectrum of shades, from light pinks to striking magenta tones. Their exact formation process remains one of nature’s best-kept secrets, adding to their mystique. With their extreme scarcity and breathtaking beauty, they rank among the most valuable and coveted gems in the world.
What Is a Pink Diamond?
A pink diamond is a naturally colored diamond that displays shades ranging from delicate blush to vibrant magenta. Unlike other colored diamonds that get their hues from chemical impurities, the exact cause of their color remains a mystery. This rare and unexplained coloration, combined with the diamond’s natural brilliance, gives them an unmatched allure in the world of gemstones.
How Are Pink Diamonds Created?
The rarity of pink diamonds stems from the extreme conditions required for their formation. While all natural diamonds form under intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth over billions of years, these remarkable pink gems undergo an additional process of immense pressure that alters their internal structure. The leading theory is that this structural distortion, known as plastic deformation, affects how light interacts with the stone, giving it a pink color. However, this extraordinary process also means that many do not survive formation, and those that do are often small or contain inclusions, making high-quality specimen exceedingly rare.
Where Are Pink Diamonds Found?
For decades, the vast majority of the world’s supply came from a single source: Australia’s Argyle Mine. Located in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia, this diamond mine was responsible for producing over 90% of the world’s natural pink diamonds yet fewer than 0.1% of diamonds mined at Argyle were pink. Often referred to as Argyle Pinks, these diamonds ranged in color from soft blush to deep purplish-pink. However, the Argyle Mine closed in 2020. With the primary source gone, the supply of these rare gems has dwindled dramatically, making them even more precious.
While they have also been discovered in locations like Brazil, South Africa, and Canada, none of these sources produce them in significant quantities. Without a primary source like Argyle, they have become one of the scarcest and most valuable gemstones in the world.
What to Look for in a Pink Diamond
Purchasing one of these exceptional diamonds is an investment in rarity, beauty, and history. Because each stone is unique, several factors influence its value:
Color Intensity: Color is the most important factor when selecting a pink diamond. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades them based on intensity, using categories such as Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, and Fancy Deep. The more vibrant and saturated the hue, the more valuable the diamond.
Secondary Hues: Pure pink are the most sought-after, but many also have secondary tones such as purple, orange, or brown. While purple-pink diamonds can be incredibly desirable, brownish-pink diamonds are generally less valuable.
Cut and Shape: To enhance their color and brilliance, they are often cut into cushion cut, oval, pear, and radiant shapes rather than traditional round brilliants. The right cut maximizes the stone’s color saturation, making it appear richer and more vibrant.
Carat Weight: Because natural specimen are incredibly rare, they are typically found in smaller sizes. Even stones under one carat can command premium prices. As the carat weight increases, so does the rarity—and value—of the diamond.
Certification: A GIA certificate is essential when purchasing a pink diamond from a trusted retailer. It verifies the stone’s authenticity, natural origin, and color grading. Given the rising presence of lab-grown and treated diamonds in the market, certification is key to ensuring you are investing in a truly natural diamond.
Famous Pink Diamonds
Throughout history, these exceptional diamonds have been associated with royalty, luxury, and timeless beauty. Some of the most extraordinary pink stones ever are explored below.
The CTF Pink Star
Weighing an astonishing 59.60 carats, the CTF Pink Star is the largest internally flawless Fancy Vivid Pink ever graded by the GIA. In 2017, it was sold at auction for $71.2 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, setting a record as the most expensive pink diamond ever sold.
The Williamson Pink Star
A 11.15-carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond, the Williamson Pink Star sold for $57.7 million at Sotheby’s in 2022, making it one of the most valuable diamonds per carat ever auctioned, at $5.2 million per carat.
The Graff Pink
This 24.78-carat Fancy Intense Pink diamond was purchased by renowned jeweler Laurence Graff for $46 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2010. The stone was later re-cut and re-polished to 23.88 carats to improve its clarity, solidifying its place as one of the most legendary pink diamonds in the world.
The Daria-i-Noor
Believed to weigh between 175 and 186 carats, the Daria-i-Noor is one of the largest pink diamonds in the world and a centerpiece of the Iranian Crown Jewels. Unlike faceted pink diamonds, it is a large table-cut diamond, admired for its soft pink hue and immense historical significance.
Celebrities with Pink Diamond Engagement Rings
Pink diamond engagement rings have become a favorite among celebrities, symbolizing both rarity and elegance. Among the fortunate ones to own these exquisite gems are tennis champion Anna Kournikova, actresses Margot Robbie and Blake Lively, and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, each showcasing their unique take on this luxurious trend. Their stunning diamonds reflect not only exceptional beauty but also the growing popularity of colored diamonds in high-profile engagements.
The Legacy of Pink Diamonds
Natural pink diamonds are among the rarest and most extraordinary gems on Earth. With the closure of the Argyle Mine, their scarcity has only increased, making them a true collector’s gemstone. Whether admired in crown jewels, high jewelry collections, or auction houses, they continue to captivate and inspire. For those lucky enough to own one, a pink diamond isn’t just a gemstone—it’s a symbol of nature’s rarest beauty and an investment in timeless elegance.
As the demand for them rises and supply remains limited, their value is expected to soar, making them not just a dazzling statement of luxury but also one of the most coveted gems in the world. For those seeking a truly rare and breathtaking gemstone, there is nothing quite like the allure of a natural pink diamond, a miracle of nature.
About Natural Diamond Council
Natural Diamond Council (NDC) is the global authority on natural diamonds. As a not-for-profit organization, NDC is committed to advancing the integrity of the natural diamond industry and celebrating the unmatched beauty and value of natural diamond jewelry. NDC serves as the industry’s definitive voice, offering expert insight, trusted education, and unparalleled access to the world of real, rare, and responsibly sourced natural diamonds.
