A Record-Smashing Pink Diamond Dazzles at Christie's

A closer look at the Eden Rose, a remarkable pink diamond that exceeded all estimates during the recent Magnificent Jewels sale at Christie's

What is it about pink diamonds that captures us so strongly? The rarity and the beauty of these gemstones leads to astonishing auction totals, and the pink diamond sold this spring at Christie’s in New York was no exception.

Christie’s

There are diamonds, and then there are diamonds. In June, the jewelry specialists at Christie’s in New York presented a particularly special pink diamond to the world. The Eden Rose, an internally flawless pink diamond, had never been presented at auction before. The diamond is a particularly beautiful example of the type, presented in a white gold and rose gold ring setting that surrounds it with gorgeous colorless diamonds–but some raised eyebrows over a perceived lack of transparency regarding the gemstone’s origins.

Christie’s

Here’s what we do know about the gem. The stone is categorized as a 10.20 carat Round Brilliant Fancy Intense Pink Diamond. The “fancy intense” grading signals that the diamond has the second-highest level of saturation found in pink diamonds, only surpassed by “fancy vivid” stones. The press release supplied by Christie’s to advertise the sale of the diamond emphasizes that the Eden Rose is also a rare pink diamond that doesn’t feature other secondary colors: “This extraordinary diamond exhibits a pure pink hue, making it an unparalleled expression of color. While many natural pink diamonds typically display secondary hues such as purple, orange, or grey, The Eden Rose stands out for its complete absence of any secondary color, rendering it exceptionally rare. Further enhancing its allure is its Type IIa classification and remarkable flawless clarity.”