The auction house is offering a Bulgari ring featuring a 24-carat pink diamond for sale in Geneva.
For years, pink diamonds have been the most prized stones among collectors and gem enthusiasts. Now, Christie’s in Geneva is auctioning an exceptional stone: a 24-carat, emerald-cut, Fancy Intense Pink diamond set in a Bulgari ring. The diamond will be offered on November 10 at the *Magnificent Jewels* auction at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, with an estimated value of $12–18 million. The diamond was part of the collection of a distinguished European noble family and has remained in private hands for over 70 years.
According to family tradition, the rough diamond was purchased in India in the 1950s by the current owner’s great-grandfather and subsequently entrusted to Bulgari, who used it to create the current ring. At the time, Bulgari was establishing itself as a destination for some of the world’s most discerning collectors and patrons, making it the natural choice for a diamond of such rarity.
The origin of pink diamonds
The diamond boasts the coveted Fancy Intense Pink hue and a refined rectangular step-cut—a combination that, given its size, embodies both rarity and elegance. The stone is classified as a Type IIa diamond, a category representing less than 2% of all gem-quality diamonds. Gemologists note that its hue and proportions evoke qualities long associated with the most famous historic diamonds, including those from legendary sources like Golconda.
The Largest Pink Diamonds
The origin of pink diamonds is a subject of much debate within the world of gemology. The prevailing theory suggests that the color results from the shear stress these diamonds undergo during their formation; however, other research attributes the distinctive hue to radiation exposure. One of the most famous pink diamonds is the 59.60-carat Pink Star, the largest of its kind in the world. It was sold at auction for $88 million in 2014, but the buyer failed to complete the payment and was subsequently forced to forfeit the purchase. Other notable pink diamonds include the Daria-i-Noor—the world’s largest pink diamond, with an estimated weight of 182 carats—and the Noor-ul-Ain, the oldest known pink diamond; both are part of the Iranian Crown Jewels.
