As expected, a rare and huge pink diamond became the highest paid price in history for any diamond ever purchased. But, the price is little bit higher – $83,187,381 (£52, 024,735.83) instead of the announced $60 million. The oval-cut stone, the largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), is dubbed as Pink Star. The most valuable diamond offered at auction, weights 59.60 carats and is now owned by the famous diamond cutter Isaac Wolf, following five minutes of fierce bidding at the Magnificent Jewels sale at Sotheby’s Geneva, on November 13th.
Four bidders competed for the Pink Star, lot 372 in the sale, which was originally mined by De Beers in Africa in 1999. Described as “full of fire and light,” and one of the earth’s “greatest natural treasures,” Pink Star was cut and polished from a 132.5 carat rough diamond and polished over two years by Steinmetz Diamonds, before being unveiled to the press as the Steinmetz Pink in Monaco in 2003. This gem, mounted on a ring, was first sold in 2007, which actually was the first time that the diamond was presented at auction.
Recently held, Sotheby’s sale of Magnificent Jewels achieved $199,512,930, the highest jewellery sale total in history.
