The Five Most Expensive Pink Diamonds
The CTF Pink Star, Williamson Pink Star and Graff Pink rank among the most expensive pink diamonds ever sold. See what distinguishes each remarkable stone.
Pink diamonds have commanded some of the highest prices in jewelry auction history, with exceptional examples achieving tens of millions of dollars. Their appeal lies in a natural color that forms under unusual geological conditions, producing shades ranging from delicate blush to intensely saturated pink. Large stones with strong color and high clarity are exceptionally difficult to find, making each major auction appearance significant.
The history of pink diamonds can be traced to India's Golconda region, where some of the earliest documented examples emerged during the 17th century. The French gem merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier described a remarkable pink diamond known as the Grand Table, reportedly weighing more than 200 carats. Centuries later, Australia's Argyle mine became a major source of pink diamonds, accounting for a substantial share of global production before its closure in 2020. Its closure further restricted the supply of newly mined pink stones.
The five most expensive pink diamonds sold at auction since 2017 illustrate how dramatically color intensity, carat weight and clarity can influence auction prices. From the 59.60-carat CTF Pink Star to the Russian-mined Spirit of the Rose, each has a distinct history shaped by its origin and the cutting decisions that brought out its natural color.
Most Expensive Pink Diamonds
| Rank | Pink Diamond | Notable Features | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CTF Pink Star | 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut Fancy Vivid Pink diamond, Internally Flawless, mined in Africa | $71.2M |
| 2 | Williamson Pink Star | 11.15-carat cushion-shaped Fancy Vivid Pink diamond, Internally Flawless, Type IIa, sourced from Tanzania | $57.5M |
| 3 | Graff Pink* | 23.88-carat Fancy Intense Pink diamond, Internally Flawless following recutting, formerly owned by Harry Winston | $46M |
| 4 | The Eternal Pink | 10.57-carat Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond, Internally Flawless, discovered in Botswana | $34.8M |
| 5 | Spirit of the Rose | 14.83-carat Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink diamond, Internally Flawless, Type IIa, mined in Russia | $26.6M |
*Originally weighing 24.78 carats and Potentially Flawless when sold in 2010
Why Pink Diamonds Are Exceptionally Rare
Unlike most colored diamonds, which owe their hues to trace elements or other impurities, natural pink diamonds generally acquire their color through distortions in their crystal structure. These changes affect how light passes through the stone, producing pink coloration that can vary considerably in intensity. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), fewer than 0.15% of diamonds submitted for grading have a predominantly pink color.
The strongest color grades are even less common. A 2022 GIA study found that only 2% of the pink Type IIa diamonds examined received a Fancy Vivid Pink grade. Size adds another challenge, as large pink diamonds with even color distribution and high clarity are exceptionally scarce. Australia's Argyle mine, historically responsible for a substantial share of pink diamond production, closed in 2020. Its closure further limited the supply of newly mined stones, making the characteristics of individual diamonds increasingly important when assessing their rarity and auction value.
The Most Expensive Pink Diamonds Ever Sold at Auction
1. CTF Pink Star, $71.2M
The CTF Pink Star sold for 553M HKD in April 2017, setting the world auction record for any diamond or jewel. Weighing 59.60 carats, the oval mixed-cut diamond is graded Fancy Vivid Pink with Internally Flawless clarity. It remains the largest Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Pink diamond graded by the GIA, an extraordinary distinction given the scarcity of natural pink diamonds approaching this size.
The diamond originated from a 132.5-carat rough stone mined by De Beers in Africa in 1999. Diamond manufacturer Diacore spent approximately two years cutting and polishing the rough, carefully balancing its substantial weight against the intensity and distribution of its pink color. The finished diamond retained less than half its original carat weight, illustrating the difficult decisions involved in cutting important colored diamonds. Its combination of exceptional size, vivid saturation and flawless internal clarity established a benchmark that has yet to be surpassed at auction.
2. Williamson Pink Star, $57.5M
The Williamson Pink Star sold for 453M HKD in October 2022. The 11.15-carat cushion-shaped diamond is graded Fancy Vivid Pink with Internally Flawless clarity and classified as Type IIa, indicating exceptional chemical purity. Its unmodified pink hue is significant, as many natural pink diamonds exhibit secondary purple, orange or brown tones. The sale achieved approximately $5.2 million per carat, establishing a world auction record for price per carat for any diamond or gemstone at the time.
The diamond was recovered from Tanzania's Williamson mine, one of the world's most historically significant sources of pink diamonds. The same deposit produced the 23.60-carat Williamson Pink, presented to Princess Elizabeth as a wedding gift in 1947 and later incorporated into a brooch. Although substantially smaller than the CTF Pink Star, the Williamson Pink Star achieved an extraordinary price per carat, reflecting the scarcity of large diamonds combining a pure Fancy Vivid Pink grade with Internally Flawless clarity.
3. Graff Pink, $46M
The Graff Pink sold for 45.4M CHF ($46 million) in November 2010, setting an auction record for any jewel at the time. The emerald-cut diamond weighed 24.78 carats and was graded Fancy Intense Pink, with a GIA report indicating that it could potentially achieve a Flawless clarity grade through repolishing. Classified as Type IIa, the diamond had previously belonged to New York jeweler Harry Winston, adding an important chapter to its provenance.
Following the sale, British jeweler Laurence Graff had the diamond recut and polished, reducing its weight to 23.88 carats while achieving Internally Flawless clarity. Renamed the Graff Pink, the stone illustrates how carefully considered recutting can improve a diamond's clarity, even at the expense of carat weight. Its rectangular emerald cut is also noteworthy: the broad, open facets place greater emphasis on transparency and even color distribution than brilliant-style cuts, making the quality of the original diamond especially important.
4. The Eternal Pink, $34.8M
The Eternal Pink sold for $34.8M USD in June 2023. The 10.57-carat cushion-shaped diamond is graded Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink with Internally Flawless clarity and classified as Type IIa. Its saturated fuchsia color distinguishes it from diamonds with a more conventional pink hue, while the combination of vivid saturation and exceptional clarity makes it significant among natural colored diamonds. The GIA documented its characteristics in a dedicated monograph, recognizing the unusual quality of the stone.
The Eternal Pink was discovered at Botswana's Damtshaa mine in 2020 as a 23.78-carat rough diamond. Diacore spent six months cutting and polishing the stone in New York, ultimately retaining less than half its original weight to achieve the desired color and proportions. Although Australia's Argyle mine is closely associated with purplish pink diamonds, the Eternal Pink demonstrates that important examples can originate from other deposits. Its Botswana provenance and striking color distinguish it within a category historically dominated by diamonds from a limited number of sources.
5. Spirit of the Rose, $26.6M
The Spirit of the Rose sold for 24.4M CHF in November 2020. Weighing 14.83 carats, the oval-shaped diamond is graded Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink with Internally Flawless clarity and classified as Type IIa. Its pronounced purple component distinguishes it from diamonds graded Fancy Vivid Pink, while its exceptional clarity and substantial size make it an important example of a natural pink diamond.
The diamond originated from a 27.85-carat rough stone discovered by Russian mining company ALROSA in 2017. Named Nijinsky after the celebrated ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, the rough was subsequently cut and polished into the Spirit of the Rose. Its finished name references Le Spectre de la Rose, the 1911 Ballets Russes production in which Nijinsky performed. The connection to Russian ballet gives the diamond a distinctive history, while its saturated purple-pink color reflects the careful cutting required to bring out the strongest qualities of the original rough.
Collecting Exceptional Pink Diamonds
The auction results of these five diamonds demonstrate how strongly color influences the value of important pink gemstones. Saturation and hue are central considerations, but size and clarity can distinguish stones within the same color grade. The Williamson Pink Star, for example, achieved a higher price per carat than the much larger CTF Pink Star, illustrating how individual characteristics shape auction results.
Provenance and gemological documentation also deserve close attention. GIA reports establish whether a diamond's color is natural and identify its precise color and clarity grades, while documented mining origins and ownership histories can add significance. With Australia's Argyle mine closed since 2020, the supply of newly mined pink diamonds from that historically important source has ended. Exceptional examples continue to appear at auction, where their individual qualities remain central to their appeal.
FAQ'S: Most Expensive Pink Diamonds
Why are natural pink diamonds so rare?
Most pink diamonds owe their color to distortions in their crystal structure rather than trace elements. According to the GIA, fewer than 0.15% of diamonds submitted for grading have a predominantly pink color.
What is the most expensive pink diamond ever sold at auction?
The 59.60-carat CTF Pink Star holds the auction record, selling for HKD 553 million ($71.2 million) at Sotheby's Hong Kong in April 2017.
What is the difference between Fancy Vivid Pink and Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink?
Fancy Vivid Pink describes a strongly saturated pink without a modifying hue, while Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink indicates a noticeable purple component. Both grades can command exceptional prices depending on the diamond's individual characteristics.
Does a Type IIa classification make a pink diamond more valuable?
Type IIa diamonds contain no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. While this classification can contribute to a stone's rarity, color intensity, clarity and carat weight remain important factors in determining value.
How does the closure of the Argyle mine affect pink diamonds?
Australia's Argyle mine closed in 2020, ending production from a historically significant source of natural pink diamonds. Existing Argyle stones remain in circulation, while new discoveries from other deposits continue to enter the market.
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