I love a fancy colored diamond. As a diamond buyer, I love ALL diamonds and when amazing diamonds that are rare come up for auction that I know I can’t afford I can’t help but get a bit jealous over the guy that is going to end up owning said diamond!
The latest diamond that Christies Auction house has coming up is the Princie Diamond. This diamond is a true beauty. It is a 34.65 carat Fancy Intense Pink cushion-cut diamond and its origin can be traced back to the ancient diamond mines of Golconda in South Central India and was first recorded in the holdings of the Royal family of Hyderabad, rulers of one of the wealthiest provinces of the Mughal Empire.
The Princie Diamond
First offered at auction in 1960 as the “Property of a Gentleman”, and later revealed to be the Nizam of Hyderabad himself, the diamond was purchased by the London branch of Van Cleef & Arpels for £46,000. The diamond’s unique name was bestowed at a party at the firm’s Paris store, where it was christened the “Princie” in honor of the 14-year-old Prince of Baroda, who attended the party with his mother Maharani Sita Devi. This is the first time in more than fifty years that this special diamond has appeared at auction, marking an unprecedented opportunity for collectors of the world’s finest gemstones.
François Curiel, Chairman of Christie’s Jewelry Department,
One of the largest and finest pink diamonds in the world, the Princie Diamond carries a fabulous provenance, which brings together the legendary names of Golconda, Nizam of Hyderabad, and the Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda. This rich history, combined with its rare pink hue, conveys a special charm, which will speak to all collectors in the world seeking the best of the best in gemstones.
The Fancy Colored Diamond
Just a couple of things you should know about a fancy colored diamond. I’m not going go into a ton of detail, but a few points, which will help you understand why this diamond is so special!
- Every diamond has some color in it, and diamonds that are colorless are very rare.
- A fancy colored diamond come in all colors including blue, pink, orange, green, red, gray, purple, brown and black.
- Only one in 10,000 diamonds have natural color and are a true fancy colored diamond.
- Intensity is the most important quality for a fancy colored diamond, and those with the deepest color are the most rare.
- Each diamond color represents a different value.
- Clarity is less important for the value of a fancy colored diamond because inclusions are often hidden by the diamond’s color.
- Colored diamonds with a high carat weight are more valuable.
- Genuine colored diamonds that have not been irradiated or dyed will come with a certificate from the GIA.
The Colors of Diamonds
- Pure Red – The rarest and can have a touch of purple or brown
- Pink – The most desirable and originate in Australia
- Blue – Vary from light to deep blue and sometimes have a touch of green, black or purple
- Orange – Very rare and usually contain a hint of yellow
- Yellow – The most common color with many shades
- Black – Have a strong, clear color and are popular and less expensive than other colored diamonds
