Auctions

This 14-Carat Pink Diamond Mined in Russia Is Up for Sale

AuctionsOct 13, 2020

This 14-Carat Pink Diamond Mined in Russia Is Up for Sale

Named “The Spirit of the Rose,” the fancy vivid purple-pink diamond is expected to go for as much as $38 million at auction.

20201013_Alrosa_pink_diamond_header.jpg
Sotheby’s is putting this 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond up for sale at its upcoming Magnificent Jewels auction, scheduled for Nov. 11 in Geneva.

Geneva—A nearly 15-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond mined in Russia a few years ago is going up for sale at Sotheby’s.

The auction house announced Monday it will offer “The Spirit of the Rose” at its Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva next month and predicts the stone will sell for between $23 million and $38 million.

Its planned sale follows Sotheby’s auction of a 102.39-carat D flawless diamond, which sold for $15.7 million last week, underperforming when compared to similar stones sold at auction in recent years.

The 14.83-carat diamond’s highest auction estimate, $38 million, is well below the $60 million one colored diamond expert predicted it would sell for back in August 2019.

Commenting on the stone’s sale, Benoit Repellin, who is heading the Magnificent Jewels auction for Sotheby’s, said: “Pink diamonds … have captured the imagination of collectors for centuries, making up five out of the 10 most valuable diamonds ever sold at auction.

“These exceptional sales, all realized in the last decade, are a testament to the growing appreciation and awareness of the great scarcity of these natural treasures around the world. With the supply of these beautiful stones becoming ever more limited, they are likely to continue to become even more prized.”

The mine that produces the bulk of the world’s pink diamonds, Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Western Australia, is set to close by year’s end.

The Spirit of the Rose is an oval modified brilliant-cut diamond that is internally flawless. Sotheby’s said the stone, which was graded by the Gemological Institute of America, is the largest vivid purple-pink diamond ever to appear at auction.

Its name is a nod to “La Spectre de la Rose,” an acclaimed ballet performed by the Ballets Russes company in Monaco in 1911.

Alrosa cut the diamond from the largest chunk of pink rough ever mined in Russia, a 27.85-carat diamond unearthed in July 2017. It consigned the diamond to Sotheby’s for auction.


The 27.85-carat piece of rough that produced “The Spirit of the Rose” was dubbed “The Nijinsky,” also a ballet reference. Alrosa recovered it from the Ebelyakh deposit in northeastern Russia.

The Spirit of the Rose will be on exhibit prior to the auction next month, though the diamond is not coming to the United States.

Sotheby’s will show it in Hong Kong on Oct. 13 and 14, Singapore on Oct. 20 and 21 and Taipei on

Oct. 27 and 28, before it returns to Geneva.

The diamond will be on display there from Nov. 7-10, ahead of the auction, which is set for Nov. 11.

The Spirit of the Rose was one in a trio of exceptional natural color diamonds mined and cut by Alrosa. It dubbed the collection “The Spectacle.”

Another stone in The Spectacle, a 20.69-carat yellow diamond, was sold to Graff.

No details have yet been released on the third stone.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

trend retail.jpg
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscast

test

Screenshot from 2026-01-12 06-22-03.png
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
New podcast without sponsor

test

20210205_Alexia_Connellan_Gatsby_earrings.jpg
TrendsJan 12, 2026
New test Article

test article

trend ss21@2x.jpg
Brought to you by
new sponsored article

test

2019_De_Beers_rough_NEW_1.jpg
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
New sponsored podcast

test

Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
MNQ FINAL - NJ web - 1872 x 1052 px.png
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the Podcast

A monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals

Screenshot from 2025-12-31 12-03-28.png
PodcastsDec 31, 2025
Test new podcast post

Test new podcast post

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

MNQ - studio - screen -1920 x 1080.png
PodcastsDec 29, 2025
Molly Test Podcast Episode

This is the abstract for Molly Test Podcast Episode

image 169 (4 col).png
PodcastsDec 10, 2025
Podcast With Video

Podcast Without Video or Audio or Image

image 169 (4 col).jpg
Recorded WebinarsDec 04, 2025
New Recorded Webinar for tests

New Recorded Webinar for tests

User-Avatar-PNG-Picture.png
PodcastsDec 03, 2025
Test Article Title

test Abstract

20210204_Couture_show_shot.jpg
PodcastsDec 02, 2025
New podcast

test desc

Screenshot from 2025-12-05 13-54-41.png
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With Video

Test Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.

Image for tests
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast Post

Abstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling Luxury

Ahead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.

Simon meet me at the mall campaign
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’

The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Platinum Guild International training
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales Training

Retail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.

Gathering at Bharat Diamond Bourse for COVID vaccinations
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures

For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.

Rough diamonds mined at the Diavik Diamond Mine
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s Life

Commercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.

Stock image of hand holding phone by keyboard
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday Season

Deloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.

Sylvie and Uncommon Man Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s Bands

The Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.

Diamond on polishing wheel Venus Jewel India
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’?

Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.

Rio Tinto 2024 Beyond RareTM Tender Art Series
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender

The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.

Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Heller
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New Collection

A portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.

Hill & Co. logo
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is Out

The first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.

Benjamin Clymer and the Porsche Design x Hodinkee limited-edition watch
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—Hodinkee

The company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy