A rare 24-carat pink diamond, famously known as the 'Bulgari Pink,' achieved a remarkable $14.6 million (approximately ₹1,300 crore) at an auction held in Geneva. This emerald-cut gem, often hailed as the 'Mona Lisa of pink diamonds,' had been a cherished part of the same private family collection for more than seven decades.
The diamond's illustrious journey began in the 1950s when it was acquired from India's renowned Golconda mines. These historic mines are also the source of other legendary diamonds, including the Koh-i-Noor. After its acquisition, the 'Bulgari Pink' was taken to Bulgari in Rome to be set, at a time when Rome was emerging as a hub of post-war glamour and Bulgari was a burgeoning destination for collectors.
What sets the 'Bulgari Pink' apart is its exceptional rarity. Classified as a Type-IIa stone, it belongs to an extremely scarce category of diamonds that contain virtually no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. Furthermore, it boasts a 'Fancy Intense Pink' color grade, a highly coveted classification. Dr. Wuyi Wang, Senior Vice-President of research and identification at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), underscored its uniqueness, stating, "Pink diamonds are rare, but one of this size and quality is very rare among gemstones." Most natural pink diamonds examined by the GIA are less than a single carat, making the 'Bulgari Pink's' 24.00-carat weight and VVS2 clarity truly extraordinary.
The diamond's vibrant color is attributed to nitrogen vacancy centers, a special feature found in natural pink diamonds. Its emerald cut, with broad, open facets, is designed to reveal, rather than conceal, the diamond's internal characteristics, showcasing nature's ability to create something truly magnificent. Ahead of the Christie’s Geneva auction, Max Fawcett, the auction house’s global head of jewellery, reiterated its esteemed status by calling it ‘the Mona Lisa of pink diamonds.’ The final sale price of 12.1 million Swiss francs, equivalent to $14.6 million, fell within the expected range, cementing its place among the world's most valuable gems.