The Desert Rose: The $8.83M Record-Breaking Orangy Pink Diamond
When Sotheby’s announced that a 31.68 carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink diamond would appear at auction, the jewellery world paused in anticipation. Known as The Desert Rose, this extraordinary gem carried an estimate of 5,000,000 to 7,000,000 USD. Its final hammer price of 8,834,000 USD confirmed not only the rarity of such a stone but also the enduring global appetite for the very finest coloured diamonds.
The Desert Rose is distinguished by a combination of qualities that place it in an elite category of natural wonders. Its hue, classified by the Gemological Institute of America as Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink, represents the most desirable saturation within the pink spectrum. Only a minute fraction of pink diamonds ever achieve a vivid grade, and even fewer display the subtle balance between orange and pink that gives this stone its warm, sunset-like glow. At 31.68 carats, its size alone sets it apart. According to an addendum letter from GIA dated 22 December 2021, The Desert Rose was the largest Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink diamond of natural colour ever graded by the Institute at the time its report was issued.
Beyond its colour and scale, the diamond possesses a VVS1 clarity grade, a level of internal purity rarely encountered in pink diamonds of this magnitude. The GIA monograph dedicated to the stone describes it as singular, noting that its rare blush tone, impressive weight and remarkable clarity create a combination that has no known equal.
The Desert Rose was offered with a complete suite of documentation that underscores its significance. The GIA report, dated 10 January 2022, verifies its natural origin and extraordinary quality. The Fancy Color Research Foundation provided a Rarity Report in November 2025, further reinforcing the diamond’s position within the highest echelon of the market. These records highlight not only its inherent beauty but also its importance from a gemmological perspective, making it a once in a generation stone.
The sale marks an important moment in the continued rise of exceptional coloured diamonds as both cultural treasures and investment assets. The Desert Rose embodies everything collectors and connoisseurs seek: a mesmerising hue, an exceptional provenance, rare natural colour and a presence that commands attention. Its appearance at Sotheby’s will be remembered as a milestone, while its record-setting price reflects a global recognition of the rarity and splendour embodied in this extraordinary jewel.
