A RARE FANCY ORANGY-PINK DIAMOND RING

PINK DIAMONDS For more than five centuries, pink diamonds have been coveted and admired by distinguished sovereigns, astute collectors and connoisseurs of gems. Among the many sizes, shapes, and colors in which crystalline carbon is known, the pink variety represents one of the exceptional rarities on this Earth. This is especially true of the large pink diamonds such as the Agra, the Darya-i-nur, and the Hortensia, whose rarity and history are intimately entwined. These so-called "rose tinted" and "flesh colored" diamonds were considered exceptional rarities hundreds of years ago just as they are today. They are admired not only for their size, but also for their exquisite expression of crystalline pink color. Steven Hofer Author: "Collecting and Classifying Colored Diamonds", Ashland Press, New York, 1998 PROPERTY OF A LADY

Details

A RARE FANCY ORANGY-PINK DIAMOND RING
Set with a fancy orangy pink rectangular-cut diamond weighing approximately 9.18 carats, mounted in platinum
With certificate 11180354 dated 7 June 2000 from the Gemological Institute of America stating that the diamond is fancy orangy pink, natural color and VS1 clarity; accompanied by a working diagram indicating that the clarity is improvable

Further details

A MAGNIFICENT COLORED DIAMONDFANCY ORANGY PINKRARITYNatural pink diamonds are among the rarest color varieties encountered in diamonds, and the true orangy pink diamond is a notably rare member of this elite group.The physical basis for the rarity of orangish pink color in diamond, has to do with the geologic forces the rough crystal endured after its formation deep in the earth and the quantity of nitrogen impurities that were present in the rough crystal at that time.ORIGIN OF COLORThe geologic process whereby all pink diamonds acquire their inherent body color involves heat and pressure, specifically a directional pressure exerted by the surrounding earth, known as "plastic deformation."The plastic deformation of a diamond crystal is analogous to the force of squeezing a deck of playing cards between your finger and thumb, and watching as each card slides past the adjacent card by a slight amount. In a rough diamond crystal (on an atomic level), parallel planes of carbon atoms can experience similar physical distortions as they "slip" past adjacent planes of atoms without rupturing the crystal.It is this plastic deformation process, combined with the relative amount of nitrogen present in the diamond's atomic structure, that is responsible for the various pink colors seen in all natural diamonds.For instance, pink diamonds with measurable quantities of nitrogen (as determined by infra-red absorption analysis), are classified as type Ia.Type IIa pink diamonds are chemically very pure, with little (or no) nitrogen available for the production of pink color along the grain line boundaries. Hence, type IIa pink diamonds characteristically exhibit pale pink colors (light and fancy grades), and they usually contain orange modifiers along with orange fluorescence.This characterization between the two types of pink diamonds has prompted observers to speculate on where a diamond might have come from, based on a diamond's apparent color strength andr its color modifiers and fluorescence.In general, type Ia pink and purplish pink diamonds are typically found in Australia, South America and Brazil, whereas type IIa pinks and orangish pinks were primarily found in India, and occasionally in South Africa and Brazil. This 9.18 carat type IIa orangy pink diamond is from Brazil, reportedly mined and polished during the early part of the past century.ORANGY PINK DIAMONDSThe present stone is a classic example of a type IIa orangy pink diamond. As stated earlier, type IIa pinks do not exhibit a great deal of color strength, nor do they exhibit very strong graining. This gives the orangy pink diamond a distinct advantage as a gemstone, because a true orangy pink diamond (one that has no trace of a brownish tint), will always look bright. This aspect of the color makes true orangy pink diamonds a favorite for those who desire the subtle qualities that only a pastel color can provide. A true orangy pink diamond represents an exquisite example of what nature is capable of within her crystalline color palette.No matter what shape outline or style of cut was selected by the cutter, or what color grade was assigned by a diamond grading lab, the knowledgeable diamond collector realizes that every orangy pink diamond is a unique work of art. To the diamond cutter, the delicate quality of an orangy pink diamond presents a special challenge, enticing him to contemplate if more color could be brought into the face-up by manufacturing a different shape and style of cut.