Pink diamond – The story of a sparkling dream
…Or at least, that is how they appear through the perfect facets of a finely cut stone. Are they truly symbols of timeless beauty and enduring love, or merely the preserve of luxury magnates?
Before we begin, a confession: for the longest time, I had little interest in diamonds—or any other precious stones, for that matter. That changed when a friend shared his quest to find the perfect engagement ring, drawing me into a world where men, in pursuit of the ultimate symbol of devotion, cross paths with tycoons who command empires. Through his journey, I came to understand that a diamond is never just a diamond.
A World Obsessed with the Four Cs
My friend’s fiancée had an exacting vision for her diamond, dictating every detail—from colour and clarity to cut and carat weight. When Ben Affleck proposed to Jennifer Lopez, he chose a 6.1-carat pink diamond, one of the rarest hues, in a radiant cut—a choice laden with sentiment beyond mere words of love.
Today, no one refers to a diamond simply as a “diamond.” It must be classified by its shape, colour, and other defining attributes. No longer just a mark of affluence, diamonds have become deeply personal statements. The cut alone tells a story: the pear shape evokes a tear of happiness, while the square princess cut exudes mystery and strength. Then there are the emerald, Asscher, and marquise cuts, each with its own character.
And then there is colour. Returning to Jennifer Lopez’s famous stone, its soft pink hue set it apart. While diamonds can be mined in South Africa, India, or Siberia, an astonishing 90% of the world’s pink diamonds originate from a single source: the Argyle mine in Western Australia. These stones, which range from the palest blush to the richest rose red, account for a tiny fraction of all natural diamonds. If you are drawn to a particular shade of pink, congratulations—you have set your sights on one of the most expensive diamonds on Earth, with a price tag that can soar to $4.5 million.
Colour, Clarity, Cut, and Carat—the four Cs every woman knows by heart
And that is before one even considers the other two Cs—context and craftsmanship. The allure of diamonds is so intoxicating, once drawn in, there is no escape.
A Timeless Fascination
Marilyn Monroe and the iconic Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.
Marilyn Monroe and the iconic Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.
In ancient India, as early as the 4th century BC, diamonds were believed to be fragments of fallen stars or crystallised lightning, connecting their wearers to the cosmos. In medieval Europe, amid the ravages of the plague, they were worn as talismans, thought to ward off misfortune and illness. By 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring, the gem had cemented its status as the ultimate emblem of eternal love.
The modern era has only reinforced diamonds’ legendary status, elevating them beyond folklore into an enduring cultural force. The Diamonds Are Forever campaign established De Beers as the undisputed ruler of the diamond world, while Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend became an anthem of glamour, immortalised in countless films and performances. The diamond’s spell has never waned.
Sparkling in an Imperfect World
“Pressure makes diamonds.” Yet few realise that even diamonds themselves face pressures in today’s world. Economic downturns, shifting consumer values, and the rise of innovative alternatives all pose challenges to these age-old treasures. And yet, diamonds endure—weathering every storm, proving their lasting value, and holding steadfast on their throne.
Diamonds will always shine, carrying the dream of everlasting love in every facet.
This resilience is not merely the result of their molecular structure, but of their transformation through the skilled hands of artisans, who coax brilliance from raw crystal. It is here, in this exquisite interplay of nature and craftsmanship, that diamonds reveal their truest magic—singular, dazzling, and utterly inimitable.
This article is an adaptation of the original piece published in the October 2024 print edition of Tatler Vietnam – Family & Legacy.
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