The Raj Pink was extracted in 2015 in South Africa. Its weight record is not surprising for such a recent diamond that benefits the yield improvements through increasingly detailed non-destructive analyses of the rough crystal before cutting. This one is a cushion modified brilliant cut.
Its weight is only slightly exceeding the Princie, a much earlier Fancy Intense Pink weighing 34.65 carats in cushion cut whose clarity VS2 is in the category just below. It was sold for $ 39.3M including premium by Christie's on April 16, 2013.
Among the diamonds of better clarity than the Raj Pink, remind the Graff Pink weighing 24.78 carats in VVS2 clarity. It was sold for CHF 45.4M including premium by Sotheby's on November 16, 2010. With its $ 1.86M including premium per carat, it is the most expensive Fancy Intense Pink both in absolute and per carat.
However we must be cautious in the comparisons between pink diamonds. The price also depends on the saturation and the purity of the color. The GIA observes that the Raj Pink is exceptional because a deep hue is very rare for such big diamonds.
unsold
Sotheby's - Le plus gros diamant 'Fancy Intense Pink' en vente à Genève - The Raj Pink estimé 20/30M$ - 15 nov. - Photo : Sotheby’s. pic.twitter.com/jao5IDoNyA
— MAISON DE MADAME (@maisonmadame) October 11, 2017
The “Raj Pink” 37.30ct Fancy Intense Pink cushion diamond available at @Sothebys Geneva auction! Largest known FIP diamond...#ChampagneGem pic.twitter.com/138YS7S8NT
— CHAMPAGNE GEM (@xCHAMPAGNEGEMx) October 13, 2017