Editor’s Note
This article highlights the growing trend of high-value diamonds being treated as investment assets. The upcoming auction of the “Desert Rose” diamond in Abu Dhabi underscores the luxury market’s intersection with global finance.
A 31.86-carat Fancy Vivid Orange-Pink diamond named “The Desert Rose” will be offered at Sotheby’s “Abu Dhabi Collectors Week” in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in December 2025. Its estimated hammer price is up to approximately 1.1 billion yen (7 million USD), highlighting an era where diamonds are purchased as assets by the wealthy, akin to cash and real estate.
The value of colored diamonds, including pink diamonds, has been rising in recent years for several reasons.
Scarcity Due to Supply Shortage: The Argyle mine in Australia, a primary source of pink diamonds, closed in 2020. This has made new supply difficult, creating a persistent state of “supply shortage” where the value of existing diamonds in the market increases yearly.
Demand for Asset Preservation: Amid global inflation and currency fluctuations, there is growing interest in assets that are “portable and easily convertible to cash.” Among these, fancy colored diamonds, which are less prone to market downturns, are being re-evaluated as a means of protecting wealth.
Colored diamonds are evaluated differently from colorless diamonds. The most critical factors are the “quality of the color itself,” such as tone, saturation, and uniformity. Naturally vivid colored diamonds are rarer, and their value is classified into nine grades based on color intensity:
Fancy Vivid
Fancy Intense
Fancy Deep
Fancy Dark
Fancy
Fancy Light
Light
Very Light
Faint
Value tends to increase with color intensity. Grades like Fancy Vivid and Fancy Intense are exceptionally 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 gem. Appraisals are conducted using multifaceted criteria, including the base metal (gold, platinum), as well as color, clarity, carat, cut, treatment, design, and brand value.
The company has a track record of purchasing over 30,000 items and maintains a high rating of over 400 Google reviews with an average of ★4.8 (as of November 2024). Many first-time users and those inheriting jewelry have provided positive feedback.
Appraisals are also possible for diamonds and gems without certificates and for broken jewelry. While many buyers determine prices based solely on weight, Omoio properly evaluates the quality and rarity of diamonds and gems, ensuring a fair assessment that recognizes value beyond mere weight.
