Editor’s Note
A record-breaking auction in New York saw two exceptional gemstones—a historic ruby and a rare pink diamond—each fetch nearly $35 million. This highlights the enduring allure and immense value of the world’s most coveted natural treasures.
In New York, United States, a ruby and a pink diamond were each auctioned for nearly $35 million. According to Sotheby’s, the auction house in charge, the ruby weighs 55.22 carats, was discovered in July 2022 in a mine in Montepuez, Mozambique, and is considered the world’s largest ruby.
The Eternal Pink is the name of the unusual pink diamond. Regarding this jewel, Tom Moses, Executive Vice President and Head of Laboratory and Research at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Monograph, stated the following:
Regarding this piece, which has been a focus of admiration since it became known, Sotheby’s stated that it was the
Sotheby’s claims that The Eternal Pink can be compared to “masterpieces of art, much rarer than a Magritte or a Warhol.” This gem is classified as one of the most ‘strange’ and sought-after in the global market, in addition to being a haven for investors.
Fran Everett, Senior Vice President of Sotheby’s Luxury Division, as reported by Reuters, noted:
She added:
This piece also set a historic record in terms of figures, as it sold for a total of $34.8 million. The jewel was part of a ring, but was dismounted for the auction and was carved from a 101-carat stone discovered at the Fura Gems mine.
The gem is cataloged as the quintessence of pink and is distinguished by an unparalleled color and brilliance. Not in vain, it appears on the market as one of the most valuable purplish-pink diamonds ever to enter an auction.
According to the auction house, a portion of the proceeds will be allocated to funding an academy aimed at promoting access to education and technical training in various areas of engineering, carpentry, agriculture, and mining in Mozambique.
The auction took place on June 8, 2023, in New York, USA.
As for the pink diamond, it weighs 10.57 carats and was also sold for a sum of $34.8 million, a record per carat for a diamond of this color. Like the ruby, the pink stone features a mixed cushion cut and was also part of a ring accompanied by trapezoid-shaped diamonds.
