Pink diamonds are more than just a stone.

They’re treasures of nature with stories to tell. Loved by royalty and aristocracy throughout history, they continue to influence modern jewellery trends thanks to their beauty, rarity and the fascination they elicit worldwide.

Discover why pink diamonds have captured the attention of jewellery enthusiasts and collectors for centuries, starting with some insights into famous pink diamonds and how these gems came to be.

There’s a reason pink diamonds are so rare. They’re formed under such specific circumstances that every pink diamond borders on miraculous.

A true wonder of nature, pink diamonds first rose to the earth’s surface from deep underground when a former supercontinent, Nuna, broke up. This happened around 1.3 billion years ago.

Today, over 90% of the world’s pink diamonds come from the Argyle Mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, which closed in 2020. Astonishingly, before its closure, only around 0.1% of the mine’s annual diamond output was pink.

Now that production in this area has ceased, there’s an off-balance between supply and demand, making it hard for collectors to get their hands on these rare, beautiful stones. After red diamonds, pink diamonds are the rarest of all coloured gemstones.

To achieve a deep pink hue, every stone has to undergo a certain set of geological shifts. And, unlike other coloured stones, the trace elements that typically give stones their colours don’t exist in pink diamonds.

The colour is said to be caused by a distortion in the gem’s crystal lattice, although exactly how that comes to be is still something of an enigma.

“What we love most about pink diamonds is that they are a mystery. Geologists still do not know exactly what makes them pink.”

- Sophia Hirsh, Managing Director of British Jeweller, Hirsh London

Described as being “in a stratosphere of its own” this is a famous pink diamond that’s younger than most.

The Eternal Pink was discovered recently in 2019 in Botswana, but has already caught the eye of enthusiasts and collectors.

Diamond cutters worked on the 23.78-carat rough diamond stone for six months to bring out its electric “bubblegum” shade. The process yielded an internally flawless, fancy vivid pink diamond.

The purplish-pink diamond sold in 2023 by auction house Sotheby's for $34.8 million. It held the highest price per carat estimate of any gemstone.

“This colour is the most beautiful and concentrated shade of pink in diamonds that I have ever seen.”

QUIG BRUNING, HEAD OF JEWELLERY FOR THE AMERICAS, SOTHEBY’S

One of the world’s most famous pink diamonds, the Star of the South, is seeped in history.

It was first discovered in Brazil in 1853, later receiving international acclaim thanks to its incredible clarity, large size and fascinating story.

It was discovered by a slave worker for the diamond mines, Madi Magassa. She was granted freedom and a lifetime income as a reward for her find. Her lord, unaware of the stone’s true potential, sold the diamond for just over $3000.

It was passed between many hands until it landed at Costers of Amsterdam, a Dutch factory, which cut and polished the rough diamond into a captivating cushion weighing 128.48 carats.

After catching the eye of Prince Mulhar Raco of West India, the Star of the South lived in the royal crown jewels until being mounted on a $10 million necklace some years later.

It might be associated with royalty now, but it will always tell the story of how a slave woman found freedom.

A portfolio addition like no other.

Less than 0.1% of the world’s diamonds are pink. A unique asset that’s no longer being produced en masse, pink diamonds are considered a viable investment.

The high demand for pink diamonds means they could be a smart addition to any portfolio. Demand has skyrocketed due to the Argyle Mine’s closure in 2020. On top of that, the unique colour, clarity and beauty of pink diamonds are causing prices to hike up. Plenty of investors want to capitalise on that now.

Over the past 20 years, pink diamonds have been seen as a strong investment outside of the more traditional gold and silver, diversifying portfolios with a rare physical asset that boasts a good record of steady appreciation.

One article by The Telegraph describes pink diamonds as a “safe haven” for investors, reporting a growth in the average cost per carat of a pink diamond. In 2002, this stood at $13,000. As of 2014, it topped $78,000.

Generally, pink diamonds have proven to be resilient against outside volatility and economic crises.

"I can say that the prices we paid for pink diamonds have increased significantly, and there is no end in sight given how difficult it is becoming to source these stones for the future.” - Douglas Ely, Managing Director at York Jewellers

Before investing in pink diamonds, do your research. Check market conditions and keep in mind that diamonds are illiquid assets.

*Nothing in this blog is to be taken as investment advice

“[Pink diamonds] are much more of a natural phenomenon than blue or yellow diamonds. Due to the rarity of natural pink diamonds, they are great investment pieces as well as being beautiful.”

- Sophia Hirsh, Managing Director of British Jeweller, Hirsh London

Today, certain famous pink diamonds almost outshine the stars who wear them. From Jennifer Lopez to Victoria Beckham to Queen Elizabeth II, we’ve seen iconic celebrity moments featuring exquisite pink diamond jewellery.

One of earth’s rarest gems, pink diamonds have had a recent influence on art, pop culture and fashion. Lately, we’re seeing designers blend the exclusivity of pink diamonds with street style, creating accessible costume jewellery influenced by the gems.

At Pink Kimberley, we focus less on trends and more on the natural intrinsic beauty of pink diamonds. The intensity and colour of a genuine pink diamond can never be replicated - even in labs.

Explore some of our newest pieces, for collectors, investors and those who simply appreciate the artistry of these unique gemstones.

Pink diamonds capture the hearts of collectors. Each one has a story to tell, with links to humans from the past - from slaves to the world’s wealthiest.

These gemstones continue to grow in their allure, as they get even rarer and are shaped into stunning jewellery that will never go out of style.

Today, you can start your own pink diamond journey.

Book a consultation at Pink Kimberley to browse our collection and learn more about these stunning gems. Appointments are available in-store and virtually.