Editor’s Note
The upcoming auction of the rare “Desert Rose” pink diamond highlights the intense global interest and soaring valuations for exceptional colored gems. As demand grows, industry specialists are adapting their appraisal frameworks to assess these extraordinary assets.
In response to the news that a rare pink diamond will be offered at a high price at the Sotheby’s auction held in Abu Dhabi from December 3 to 5, 2025, “Omoio,” a brand goods and precious metals appraisal specialist shop (operated by Tieel Co., Ltd.) based in Tokyo’s Ginza, has strengthened its appraisal system for colored diamonds to meet the growing demand.
At Sotheby’s “Abu Dhabi Collectors Week” to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in December 2025, a 31.86-carat Fancy Vivid Orange Pink diamond named “The Desert Rose” will be offered. Its estimated maximum hammer price is approximately 1.1 billion yen (7 million USD), indicating that diamonds are now being purchased as assets by the wealthy, much like money or real estate.
There are several reasons why the value of colored diamonds, including pink diamonds, has been rising in recent years.
Scarcity Value Increasing Due to Supply Shortage
The Argyle mine in Australia, a primary source of pink diamonds, closed in 2020. This has made new supply difficult, leading to a persistent state of “supply shortage” where the value of existing diamonds in the market increases year by year.
Demand as Asset Preservation
Amid global inflation and currency fluctuations, attention is turning to assets that are “portable and easily convertible to cash.” Among these, fancy colored diamonds, whose market prices are less prone to decline, are being re-evaluated as a means of protecting assets.
Colored diamonds have different evaluation criteria compared to colorless diamonds. Particularly important are factors like color intensity, saturation, and uniformity—the “quality of the color itself.” Colored diamonds with vivid natural colors are rarer, and their value is classified into 9 grades based on color intensity:
1. Fancy Vivid
2. Fancy Intense
3. Fancy Deep
4. Fancy Dark
5. Fancy
6. Fancy Light
7. Light
8. Very Light
9. Faint
Generally, value tends to increase with color intensity. Grades like Fancy Vivid and Fancy Intense are extremely rare. The pink diamond being offered for approximately 1.1 billion yen is believed to belong to this class. Accurate determination of this color grade requires detailed assessment, making appraisal by a specialist with expert knowledge essential.
Omoio employs specialist appraisers holding the GIA-GG (Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist) qualification, who comprehensively evaluate the “inherent value” of each gemstone. Appraisal is conducted using multifaceted criteria, including precious metals like gold and platinum, as well as color, clarity, carat, cut, treatment, design, and brand value.
The shop has a track record of appraising over 30,000 items and receives high ratings, with over 400 Google reviews averaging ★4.8 (as of November 2024). Many first-time users and those bringing inherited jewelry have provided positive feedback.
Appraisal is also possible for diamonds and gemstones without certificates, as well as broken jewelry. While many appraisal shops often determine prices based “solely on weight,” Omoio properly evaluates the quality and rarity of diamonds and gemstones, thoroughly assessing value that cannot be determined by weight alone.
