Famous Auctioned Gemstones
Famous auctioned gemstones have long fascinated enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, capturing imaginations with their beauty, rarity, and the extraordinary prices they fetch at auction. These famous auctioned gemstones often come with storied histories, having adorned royalty or been the subject of intense bidding wars. The allure of famous auctioned gemstones lies not only in their aesthetic appeal but also in their provenance, which adds layers of intrigue and desirability. Auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s have seen numerous record-setting sales of famous auctioned gemstones, highlighting the global appetite for these magnificent treasures. Each sale of famous auctioned gemstones often makes headlines, underscoring the societal fascination with luxury and the timeless value placed on unique natural wonders. The legacy of famous auctioned gemstones continues to grow, as each new find and sale adds to the rich tapestry of their collective history, ensuring their place in the annals of gemological and cultural significance.
The Pink Star Diamond
The Pink Star Diamond, a gem of unparalleled allure and prestige, stands as a crowning jewel in the realm of famous auctioned gemstones. This extraordinary diamond, weighing an impressive 59.60 carats, boasts an oval mixed-cut that radiates with a vibrant pink hue, encapsulating the essence of rarity and luxury. Mined in Africa in 1999, it was meticulously crafted over a period of two years, a testament to the artistry and dedication of its creators.
The Pink Star has achieved legendary status not only for its size and beauty but also for its record-breaking journey in the auction world. In 2017, it fetched a staggering $71.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, setting the world record for any diamond or jewel. This sale underscored its status as one of the most coveted and valuable gemstones ever to appear on the auction block.
Certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as a Fancy Vivid Pink diamond, the highest grade for a pink diamond’s color, the Pink Star also possesses the extraordinary characteristics of Type IIa diamonds, signifying chemical purity and exceptional optical transparency. This category is reserved for less than 2% of the world’s diamonds, adding to its rarity and desirability.
The Pink Star Diamond, with its mesmerizing color and flawless craftsmanship, is not just a gemstone; it is a symbol of opulence and a marvel of nature’s beauty. Its journey through the hands of connoisseurs and collectors has cemented its place in history as a gem of unmatched worth and splendor, making it an eternal treasure in the world of fine gemstones.
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The Blue Moon Diamond
The Blue Moon Diamond, an astonishing gemstone of ethereal beauty and rarity, is a celebrated icon in the exclusive world of auctioned gemstones. Weighing a remarkable 12.03 carats, this diamond is a true marvel, flaunting a cushion-cut that exudes a captivating deep blue color, reminiscent of the midnight sky. Discovered in the renowned Cullinan Mine in South Africa in 2014, its extraction and subsequent transformation into a polished gem was a process that combined precision, skill, and an unwavering commitment to preserving its natural magnificence.
What sets the Blue Moon Diamond apart is its extraordinary color and clarity. Classified as a Fancy Vivid Blue by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), this diamond resides in the highest echelon of colored diamonds. Its color is so intense and pure that it falls under the rare category of diamonds with no traces of gray, the common modifier for blue diamonds. Furthermore, the Blue Moon Diamond is part of the coveted group of less than 1% of diamonds that are categorized as Internally Flawless, signifying that it is nearly free of internal inclusions.
The diamond’s journey to fame was cemented in November 2015, when it was sold for a breathtaking $48.4 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva, setting a record price per carat for any diamond sold at auction. This sale not only reflected its unmatched beauty and rarity but also solidified its status as one of the most desirable and valuable gemstones the world has ever seen.
The Blue Moon Diamond’s allure lies not just in its exceptional characteristics but also in its ability to capture the imagination. It represents the pinnacle of diamond rarity and beauty, a tangible slice of cosmic wonder that has captivated the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts alike. As a symbol of luxury, rarity, and nature’s artistry, the Blue Moon Diamond remains an unparalleled treasure in the fascinating world of precious gemstones.
The Graff Pink Diamond
The Graff Pink Diamond, a gemstone of extraordinary distinction and allure, stands as a masterpiece in the world of rare and auctioned gemstones. This breathtaking diamond weighs an impressive 24.78 carats and showcases a mesmerizing Fancy Intense Pink hue, a color that is both rare and highly coveted in the diamond world. Its remarkable rectangular step-cut not only enhances its color but also exudes a timeless elegance, making it a jewel of both historical and aesthetic significance.
Originally owned by the famous American jeweler Harry Winston, the Graff Pink Diamond’s journey to fame began in earnest when it was acquired by renowned diamond dealer Laurence Graff in 2010. Graff’s acquisition of the diamond at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva for an astounding $46.2 million was a momentous event, setting a record at that time for the highest price ever paid for a diamond at auction.
The diamond’s value is further elevated by its classification as a Type IIa diamond, which denotes a level of chemical purity found in less than 2% of all gem diamonds. This purity allows for extraordinary optical transparency, enhancing the diamond’s natural coloration to appear even more vibrant and captivating.
After its purchase, Laurence Graff had the diamond recut and polished to enhance its color and clarity further. This meticulous process resulted in a slight reduction in weight to 23.88 carats but significantly improved its quality, elevating it to an Internally Flawless grade. The diamond was then renamed the “Graff Pink.”
The allure of the Graff Pink Diamond lies in its perfect combination of size, color, and purity, making it one of the world’s most magnificent and sought-after gemstones. Its enchanting pink hue, emblematic of romance and elegance, along with its illustrious history and record-breaking auction sale, has cemented its status as a symbol of ultimate luxury and an exceptional piece in the annals of famous gemstones.