【Hong Kong】Record-Sized ‘Purple Pink Diamond’ Auctioned for 33 Billion Won

A 15.81-carat diamond ring known as the ‘Purple Pink Diamond’, boasting a record-breaking size, has been sold at auction for 33 billion won.

According to foreign media reports on the 24th, the auction house Christie’s Hong Kong announced that the Purple Pink Diamond was finally hammered down for 29.29 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately 33 billion won) in a gem auction held the previous day. This price is lower than the initial high estimate of 43.7 billion won.

It is known that about 90% of pink diamonds are around 0.2 carats in size. In contrast, the Purple Pink Diamond offered at this auction is an unprecedented 15.81 carats, making it the largest purple pink diamond ever to appear at auction to date.

Natural fancy colored diamonds are among the rarest and most valuable gemstones. Pink diamonds, in particular, are highly rare because their color is caused by random distortions in the diamond’s molecular lattice during formation, which often results in rough shapes and makes polishing them an extremely difficult task.

Most diamond gemstones, including pink diamonds, are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle. Among them, pink diamonds belong to the highly scarce ‘Type IIa’ category. It is reported that this type accounts for less than 2% of all diamonds.

The ‘Purple Pink Diamond’ is graded as IF (Internally Flawless) and is characterized by its exceptional rarity and transparency.

Meanwhile, the record for the highest price per carat for a pink diamond at auction is held by the ‘Winston Pink Legacy’, which was sold at Christie’s Geneva in 2018. It was hammered down for 50.375 million Swiss francs, including buyer’s premium, which was approximately 57.4 billion won at the exchange rate at the time.