Pink diamonds
| Pink diamond | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| General | |
| Category | Native minerals |
|
Formula (repeating unit) |
C |
| Strunz classification | 1.CB.10a |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Crystal class | Hexoctahedral (m3m) H-M symbol: (4/m 3 2/m) |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 12.01 g/mol |
| Color | Faint pink to deep pink |
| Crystal habit | Octahedral |
| Twinning | Spinel law common (yielding "macle") |
| Cleavage | 111 (perfect in four directions) |
| Fracture | Conchoidal (shell-like) |
| Mohs scale hardness | 10 (defining mineral) |
| Luster | Adamantine |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to subtransparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.52±0.01 |
| Density | 3.5–3.53 g/cm3 |
| Polish luster | Adamantine |
| Optical properties | Isotropic |
| Refractive index | 2.418 (at 500 nm) |
| Birefringence | None |
| Pleochroism | None |
| Dispersion | 0.044 |
| Melting point | Pressure dependent |
| References | |
Pink diamond is a type of diamond which has all the same elements as more commonly known diamonds except that they also exhibit pink color. The source of their pink color is greatly debated in the gemological world but it is most commonly attributed to enormous additional pressure that these diamonds undergo during their formation.Pink diamonds belong to a subcategory of diamonds called fancy color diamonds, the generic name for all diamonds that exhibit any sort of color. Pink diamonds range from flawless to included, just as white diamonds. Several pink diamonds with internally flawless clarity have been discovered, but only one is known to be completely flawless, the Pink Star (which was shortly renamed the Pink Dream until it diverted to Sotheby’s).
Numerous theories have been posited as to how the pink is formed in pink diamonds. The prevailing theory is that the pink is caused when the diamond is subjected to enormous pressure during its formation. A similar theory is being tested on pink diamonds that originated in the Argyle Mine in Kimberley, Western Australia. This theory posits that a seismic shock propelled colorless diamonds to the surface and altered their molecular structure, causing them to appear pink.
The same four basic parameters that govern the grading of all gemstones are used to grade pink diamonds–the four Cs of Connoisseurship: Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat weight. Color is considered the absolute most important criterion in grading a pink diamond and determining its value. However, size is an important consideration in a pink diamond’s value. The larger a pink diamond, and the better its color, the more valuable it will be. The most famous pink diamond is the now infamous Pink Star diamond, a 59.60 carat Fancy Vivid Pink Type IIa diamond which is the largest vivid pink diamond in the world and whose buyer at auction was unable to pay the promised sum and was subsequently forced to default. The Daria-i-Noor diamond and the Noor-ul-Ain diamond are the oldest known pink diamonds, and both belong to the Iranian crown jewels. Several other famous pink diamonds exist as well.
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Wikipedia