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Pink diamonds sit at the very top of the coloured diamond world. Rare, fiercely collected and often record-breaking.
Their colour is created by an extraordinary natural phenomenon that subtly distorts the diamond’s atomic structure.
The result ranges from a whisper-soft blush to vivid purplish-pink, a spectrum found in no other diamond category.
For collectors, investors and jewellery lovers, Pink diamonds have also been one of the strongest-performing luxury assets over the past two decades. And in Australia, we share a special connection to them. The iconic Argyle Mine in Western Australia produced the world’s most recognisable Pink diamonds before closing in 2020. A moment that permanently changed global diamond supply.
But while Argyle’s legendary stones are renowned for their colour and scarcity, some of the largest and most historic pink diamonds have been discovered across the globe.
In this article, we explore the top 10 largest pink diamonds ever unearthed, each one a remarkable example of history, design, rarity, and extraordinary craftsmanship.
Below, we take a look at the top 10 largest pink diamonds ever discovered, stones that represent history, design, rarity and remarkable craftsmanship.
1. The Pink Star — 59.60 Carats
The Pink Star Diamond stands alone as the largest Fancy Vivid Pink diamond ever graded by the GIA. In April 2017, it made history at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, selling for a staggering $71.2 million, the highest price ever paid at auction for a diamond or jewel. Weighing 59.60 carats, roughly the size of a strawberry, this internally flawless gem is unmatched in both size and quality.
- Carat Weight: 59.60
- Colour: Fancy Vivid Pink
- Clarity: Internally Flawless
- Origin: Africa
- Record: Sold for USD $71.2 million at Sotheby’s — the most expensive gem ever sold at auction
The Story of the CTF Pink Star Diamond
The Pink Star was discovered by De Beers in Africa in 1999 as a 132.5-carat rough diamond. Over two years, it was carefully cut and polished into a flawless Fancy Vivid Pink Type IIa gem.
Originally called the Steinmetz Pink, it was once displayed at the Smithsonian and has a dramatic history: a 2013 Sotheby’s sale fell through when the buyer defaulted, leaving the auction house to take possession. In April 2017, after a fierce bidding war, Hong Kong jeweller Chow Tai Fook purchased it, renaming it the CTF Pink.
It remains the reference point for all pink diamonds, combining size, flawless clarity and exceptional saturation.
2. The Lulo Rose — 170 Carats (Rough)
Discovered in Angola in 2022, the Lulo Rose is a remarkable 170-carat rough pink diamond that has already captured the global jewellery world’s attention.
Believed to be the largest pink diamond discovered in the past 300 years, this Type IIa gem, chemically pure and extraordinarily rare, is second in size only to the 182-carat Daria-i-Noor from 17th-century India.
- Carat Weight: 170 (rough)
- Origin: Lulo alluvial mine, Angola
Discovered by Lucapa Diamond Company at the Lulo alluvial diamond mine in Angola, the Lulo Rose is an alluvial diamond, naturally eroded from its primary source over millennia before being found in a secondary location.
While the exact size of the polished stone remains to be seen, rough diamonds typically lose 40–60% of their weight during cutting, estimates suggest the finished gem could exceed 70 carats, potentially setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a pink diamond.
3. The Daria-i-Noor — ~182 Carats
The Daria‑i‑Noor is a pale‑pink diamond believed to have originated from the historic Golconda (Kollur) mines in South India, and today it is among the most celebrated gems in the Central Bank of Iran’s collection in Tehran. It’s one of the most ancient diamonds in existence.
But that’s not all.
The Daria‑i‑Noor (“Sea of Light” in Persian) ranks among the largest cut diamonds in the world, with an estimated weight of 182 carats (36 grams).
Its precise weight remains uncertain, as removing it from its setting could risk irreparable damage.
- Carat Weight: Estimated 175–182
- Colour: Pale pink
- Origin: India
- Status: Part of Iran’s Crown Jewels
The History behind the Daria-i-Noor
Historically, the Daria‑i‑Noor is believed to have been among the treasures taken from the Mughal treasury during the 1739 invasion of Delhi by Nader Shah.
Over centuries, it passed through successive ruling dynasties in Persia and was eventually incorporated into the Iranian Crown Jewels, where it remains today.
Some gemological historians have proposed that the Daria‑i‑Noor may have once formed part of a larger historic gemstone known as the Great Table Diamond (described in the 17th century by French traveller‑jeweller Jean‑Baptiste Tavernier).
According to this theory, the smaller pink diamond Noor‑ul‑Ain (60-carat/12 grams)) could be the other piece cut from the same original stone.
4. The Noor-ul-Ain — 60 Carats
The Noor‑ul‑Ain (“Light of the Eye”) is a pale‑pink diamond weighing approximately 60 carats and is celebrated as one of the crown jewels of Iran.
Believed to have originally formed from the same larger stone as the Daria‑i‑Noor, it shares the same rare, delicate hue.
This historic gem is currently set in a tiara that remains part of the Iranian Crown Jewels, exemplifying exquisite craftsmanship and centuries of royal heritage.
- Carat Weight: 60
- Colour: Light Pink
- Origin: India
Though not vivid in colour, its historical significance is unmatched.
5. The Graff Pink — 24.78 Carats
The Graff Pink is a stunning 24.78-carat pink diamond, celebrated as one of the greatest diamonds ever discovered.
Graded by the Gemological Institute of America as Fancy Intense Pink and classified as type IIa, it ranks among the top two per cent of diamonds worldwide.
Originally sold in the 1950s by American jeweller Harry Winston to a private collector, the diamond remained in private hands until it went under the hammer at Sotheby’s Geneva auction on 16 November 2010.
Mounted in a ring, it fetched an impressive US $46.1 million, setting a record at the time as the most expensive single jewel ever sold at auction.
- Carat Weight: 24.78
- Colour: Fancy Intense Pink
- Clarity: Internally Flawless (after Graff refinishing)
- Origin: Believed South African
After purchase, Graff had the stone slightly re‑cut and totally re‑polished, sacrificing a small amount of weight (about 0.9 carats) to improve clarity and colour.
6. The Williamson Pink Star — 11.15 Carats
The Williamson Pink Star diamond is among the rarest and most extraordinary gems ever discovered. Achieving a Fancy Vivid Pink grade at its size is nearly unheard of, as it requires an exceptionally strong inherent body colour in the rough crystal.
Internally Flawless in clarity as well, this combination of size, colour, and purity makes the Williamson Pink Star a true marvel of nature.
- Carat Weight: 11.15
- Colour: Fancy Vivid Pink
- Origin: Tanzania
Inspired by the iconic Williamson Pink diamond (23.6 carat) once gifted to Queen Elizabeth II, the Williamson Pink Star has become a modern legend in its own right.
Not only is it a striking example of nature’s artistry, but it also ranks among the most valuable diamonds per carat ever sold, combining rarity, size, and vivid colour to create a truly extraordinary gemstone.
7. The Pink Promise — 14.93 Carats
The Pink Promise is celebrated not just for its size, but for the perfection of its color. This 14.93-carat fancy vivid pink diamond boasts exceptional saturation and evenness, a rare feat for a stone of its scale.
- Carat Weight: 14.93
- Colour: Fancy Vivid Pink
- Record: Sold for approximately USD $32 million
Originally purchased by gemologist Stephen Silver in 2013, the diamond weighed 16.10 carats and was recut over three years with painstaking precision to enhance its hue and clarity. The result is an elongated oval masterpiece, designed to maximize both brilliance and color intensity.
Certified by the GIA as fancy vivid pink with VVS1 clarity, the Pink Promise sold for $31.9 million at Christie’s Hong Kong, nearly matching the record per-carat price for a pink diamond.
It represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and the meticulous artistry required to transform a rare gem into a world-class icon.
8. The Spirit of the Rose — 14.83 Carats
The Spirit of the Rose is a striking Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink diamond, weighing 14.83 carats. Its rare purplish tone and flawless clarity make it one of the most coveted pink diamonds in the world.
- Carat Weight: 14.83
- Colour: Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink
- Origin: Russia
- Record: Sold for over USD $26 million
Mined in 2017 in Yakutia, Russia, by Alrosa, the original rough stone weighed 27.85 carats.
Over the course of a year, master Russian cutters meticulously transformed it into a polished gem, achieving both exceptional color and precision.
Certified Internally flawless by the GIA, the diamond captured global attention and was sold at Sotheby’s Geneva auction in November 2020 for USD $26.6 million, cementing its status as one of the most coveted pink diamonds in the world.
9. The Princie Diamond — 34.65 Carats
Renowned for its extraordinary purity and illustrious history, the Princie Diamond is a cushion-cut fancy intense pink diamond weighing 34.65 carats.
Graded by the Gemological Institute of America as Type IIa, it ranks among the most chemically pure diamonds in the world, known for exceptional transparency and optical brilliance.
- Carat Weight: 34.65
- Colour: Fancy Intense Pink
- Origin: Golconda, India
- Record: Sold for USD $39.3 million
Originating from the historic Golconda mines in southern India, some of the earliest diamond mines ever recorded, the diamond once belonged to the royal family of Hyderabad, including Maharani Sita Devi, and carries centuries of regal provenance.
This remarkable gemstone sold at Christie’s for over USD $39.3 million to an anonymous collector, securing its status as one of the largest and most valuable pink diamonds in existence.
With a lineage connecting the legendary Golconda mines, Indian royalty, and some of the most famous Type IIa diamonds in history, the Princie is celebrated not just for its striking fancy intense pink hue and 34.65-carat size, but also as a symbol of heritage, rarity, and enduring beauty.
10. The Steinmetz Pink — 59.60 Carats (Before Re-naming to Pink Star)
The Steinmetz Pink is the largest Fancy Vivid Pink diamond in the world and possibly the finest pink diamond in existence today.
Mined by De Beers in South Africa in 1999, the rough stone weighed 132.5 carats. After an exceptionally cautious 20-month cutting and polishing process, it was transformed into a 59.60-carat oval-shaped diamond with a unique mixed-cut design, a step-cut crown paired with a brilliant-cut pavilion that maximises its vivid pink color.
Initially unveiled in Monaco in 2003 as the Steinmetz Pink, the diamond was later mounted as a ring and renamed the Pink Star (which we discussed as the number one item on this list) when sold to a private buyer in 2007.
A high-profile auction in 2013 saw it sold to a consortium represented by Isaac Wolf, who later defaulted, prompting Sotheby’s to acquire the diamond to honor the sale. The diamond has since been renamed the Pink Dream and remains one of the most celebrated pink diamonds in the world.
Its extraordinary rarity, flawless clarity (Internally Flawless), and breathtaking size make it a modern masterpiece among gemstones. It has been displayed at the Smithsonian’s Splendor of Diamonds exhibition alongside other legendary stones, including the Millennium Star and the Heart of Eternity.
Australia’s Unique Connection to Pink Diamonds
While the largest pink diamonds in history have been found around the world, the Argyle Mine is celebrated for producing stones with unmatched colour intensity, especially in the rare purplish-pink and red hues that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere.
Though Argyle diamonds are generally smaller than the world’s record-breaking giants, their exceptional rarity, vivid colours, and the mine’s now-closed supply have made them highly coveted by collectors and jewellery designers alike.
From Legendary Diamonds to Wearable Luxury
Pink diamonds are far more than gemstones. They are cultural artefacts, symbols of royalty, and investments that continue to outperform nearly every luxury asset class.
Sourced from Australia’s iconic Argyle Mine, each stone is incredibly rare and precious, making expert craftsmanship essential to unlock its full beauty. That’s why Master Jeweller Nick Ireland personally sets every diamond in his Brisbane studio, ensuring each piece reflects unparalleled skill and care. These are not just diamonds to admire; they are treasures designed to be worn, cherished, and passed down through generations.
Whether you’re seeking an engagement ring, an heirloom piece, or a bespoke design centred around a pink diamond, we can bring your vision to life.
Don’t hesitate to browse our selection of Argyle pink diamonds or get in touch directly here. We’d love to help.
- Pink diamond engagement rings crafted in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney
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