Exceptional Russian pink diamond sold for $ 26.6 million in Geneva

An exceptional pink stone, from the largest pink rough diamond ever discovered in Russia, was auctioned for $ 26.6 million including commission Wednesday evening in Geneva by Sotheby's.

Named "Le Specter de la Rose" after the famous creation of the Ballets Russes, this 14.83-carat bead-sized diamond is the largest in its category (vivid purple-pink) to have ever been put up for auction.

Estimated between 23 and 38 million dollars

After a few minutes, this oval-cut diamond, auctioned online due to the coronavirus pandemic, was sold for 21 million Swiss francs, or $ 26.6 million including commission.

The auctioneer, Benoit Repellin, sales director of Haute Joaillerie at Sotheby's in Geneva, stressed that this was a record for a purplish pink diamond.

Prior to the sale, Sotheby's estimated it to be between $ 23 million and $ 38 million.

The buyer wished to remain anonymous and bid over the phone.

This diamond, "entirely pure", is exceptional in terms of its size and color, Benoit Repellin had indicated before the sale. 

Discovered in Yakutia

Its origin is also exceptional.

It was mined and cut from a 27.85 carat rough diamond - the largest pink rough diamond ever discovered in Russia.

Discovered in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in northeastern Siberia in 2017 by the Russian group Alrosa, it took a year of meticulous work to prune it to give it its shape while preserving its vibrant color.

Pink diamonds are the rarest and most coveted diamonds on the world market.

The absolute record for the most expensive pink diamond ever sold at auction is held by the CTF Star Pink which sold for $ 71.2 million in 2017 in Hong Kong.

And 5 of the 10 most expensive diamonds ever sold at auction are pink, according to Sotheby's.

All have been sold over the past decade.