Cover The world’s largest Purple-Pink diamond will appear at auction this November (Photo: Sotheby's)

“Le Spectre de la rose” stone will be the world’s largest Purple-Pink diamond to ever appear at auction

Sotheby’s auction house has this week announced it will be offering an ultra-rare gem cut from the largest pink rough ever mined in Russia. Known as “Le Spectre de la rose” (The Spirit of the Rose) after the acclaimed Russian ballet, the 14.8 carat Fancy Vivid Purple-Pink Internally Flawless stone will be going under the hammer in Geneva next month.

“The occurrence of pink diamonds in nature is extremely rare in any size. Only one per cent of all pink diamonds are larger than 10-carats and only four percent of all pink diamonds are graded ‘Fancy Vivid’ and display a rich, vivid colour,” Gary Schuler, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Division, said in a press release. “Having the opportunity to offer a large polished pink diamond of over 10-carats and with the richness of colour and purity of The Spirit of the Rose is therefore truly exceptional.”

According to Schuler, the diamond’s character and large size is further enhanced by its perfect cut and oval shape. “The numerous facets and shades of pink dance in front of your eyes in a mesmerizing way. It is a natural wonder, steeped in Russia’s century-long diamond tradition and cultural heritage.

This isn’t the first pink diamond to be offered by Sotheby’s. In fact, the auction house has sold some of the most valuable pink diamonds on record—including the record-breaking CTF Pink Star, a 59.60-cart Fancy Vivid Pink Internally Flawless diamond, which sold for US$71.2 in Hong Kong in April 2017.

Pink diamonds account for a noteworthy five out of the 10 most valuable diamonds ever sold at auction, which is in part due to their global rarity as well as the ability to “capture the imagination of collectors,” according to Benoit Repellin, Head of Sotheby’s Geneva ‘Magnificent Jewels’ auction.

The Spirit of the Rose will be exhibited in Hong Kong through to Tuesday, before moving to Singapore from October 20-21, and Taipei from October 27 to 28, before making its way to Geneva for the auction on November 11.

For more information on The Spirit of the Rose or to register to bid in the auction, be sure to visit the official Sotheby’s auction house website.

See also: This Diamond Is The First Of Its Kind To Be Auctioned Without Reserve