Pink Star: The most expensive gemstone in the world

Did you know that the most expensive gemstone in the world is not a diamond, but a pink diamond? The Pink Star, a 59.60-carat fancy vivid pink diamond, sold for a whopping $71.2 million in 2017, breaking the record for the highest price ever paid for a gemstone at auction. But what makes this diamond so special, and why is it worth more than a small island? In this article, we will explore the origin, characteristics, history, and significance of the pink star, the most expensive gemstone in the world.

The Pink Star was mined by De Beers in 1999 in South Africa and weighed 132.5 carats in the rough. The diamond’s unique color results from “plastic deformation," which occurs during the diamond’s formation. This process involves intense pressure and heat that alter the crystal structure of the diamond, causing some of the carbon atoms to be displaced and creating defects that absorb certain wavelengths of light. In the case of the Pink Star, the defects absorb the blue and green wavelengths, leaving only the pink hue visible.

The Pink Star is a mixed oval brilliant-cut diamond with a step-cut crown and a brilliant-cut pavilion. It weighs 59.60 carats and measures 2.69 x 2.06 x 1.36 cm. It is rated as Fancy Vivid Pink by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the highest color grade for pink diamonds. The GIA also graded the Pink star as Internally Flawless, meaning that it has no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. The Pink Star also exhibits excellent symmetry and polish, and has a medium blue fluorescence under ultraviolet light.

The Pink Star was unveiled to the public in 2003 by the Beny Steinmetz Group, who named it the Steinmetz Pink. It was displayed as part of the Smithsonian’s “The Splendor of Diamonds” exhibit, alongside other famous diamonds such as the De Beers Millennium Star, the Heart of Eternity, and the Moussaieff Red. In 2007, the diamond was renamed the Pink star by its new owner, who remains anonymous.

The Pink Star was first auctioned by Sotheby’s Geneva in 2013, where it fetched a record-breaking $83.2 million. However, the buyer, New York diamond cutter Isaac Wolf, defaulted on the payment, and the diamond was returned to Sotheby’s In 2017, the Pink star was auctioned again by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, where it was sold for $71.2 million to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, a Hong Kong-based jewelry company. The diamond was renamed the CTF Pink star by its current owner.

The Pink Star is a gemstone of extraordinary beauty, rarity, and value. It is one of the few natural pink diamonds that have been discovered and the largest of its kind. It is also one of the most flawless and vivid diamonds ever graded by the GIA, and it has remarkable brilliance and fire. The pink star represents the pinnacle of nature’s creation and human craftsmanship and has achieved legendary status in the world of gemology and jewelry. The gemstone is also a symbol of prestige and glamour, as it has been admired by celebrities, royalty, and collectors alike. The Pink star is truly the most expensive gemstone in the world and a priceless treasure for generations to come.