Griffin and Highbury sparks buzz with one of the world’s rarest diamonds

While most of us are familiar with and even own beautiful white diamonds, gem collectors and geologists scour mines and collections everywhere looking for illustrious coloured diamonds and precious stones. The purplish red diamond has been long thought to signify power and confidence. These unique gems are also highly sought after by Asian collectors because the colour red is symbolic of luck in the Chinese community. Predominantly mined in Australia, Africa and Brazil these fine stones are desired by many.

The fancy purplish red diamond is among the most precious of coloured gems, and is defined by its deep red colouring with purplish secondary hue. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) (http://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-1987-fancy-diamond-kane) examined three exquisite coloured diamonds and wrote, “Although intense pink diamonds are rare, a color description that includes “red” is even rarer, especially where red is the primary hue, such as purplish red.”

According to the Cape Town Diamond Museum (http://www.capetowndiamondmuseum.org/blog/2013/04/red-diamonds/), red diamonds are not only rare, they are also some of the purest diamonds known to man. “Red diamonds are made purely from carbon, just like colourless diamonds. The red colour of the diamond is created by a rare deformation in its atomic structure, also known as ‘plastic deformation’.”

When the gem collectors at Griffin and Highbury Inc. acquired their GIA certified one carat Argyle Purplish Red diamond, they were thrilled to be able to offer their clients (http://www.stockhouse.com/opinion/independent-reports/2015/05/20/griffin-and-highbury-sees-u-s-and-china-trending-upward-in-diamond-demand) such a treasured gem stone.  “Known to be among the rarest diamonds in the world, the purplish reds are very extraordinary,” said Geoff Black (https://twitter.com/griffinhighbury) of Griffin and Highbury. “They have been known to fetch millions at auctions around the globe.”

In November of 2007, The New York Times reported (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/fashion/18iht-acaj-fancy-18.html?_r=1), “a 2.26-carat fancy purplish-red diamond ring at Christie’s Geneva sold for the equivalent of $1.18 million a carat.” Proving dealing in the multimillion dollar coloured diamond and precious gem stone market is not for amateurs. The exclusive mines and collections are often reserved for well known buyers and collectors and are invitation only.

The Argyle Mine of Australia (http://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2014-pink-to-red-diamonds-30th-argyle-diamond-tender), known for its supply of red coloured diamonds, celebrated its 30th diamond tender in 2014. The anniversary was marked by a private invitation only event that hosted some of the most exclusive collectors and offered glittering gemstones of the highest quality.

The Argyle Purplish Red at Griffin and Highbury is no exception. With a light grade of fancy, and a level one clarity rating, the one carat Argyle Purplish Red is certified by the GIA and also features a polish rating of ‘very good’ and modified brilliant cut, making it truly a natural wonder.

“A diamond this exquisite and rare is an incredible find for any gem business.  It would be a fantastic addition to the avid collector’s portfolio,” added Geoff Black.

The team at Griffin and Highbury (http://www.griffinandhighbury.com/) are highly experienced and have an immense collection “of the world’s most rare natural coloured diamonds and precious stones”. The firm represents some of world’s savviest collectors and provide confidential, discreet services.

Their latest acquisition of the Argyle Purplish Red may be their most lucrative acquisition to date. A similar sized fancy red radiant cut diamond mounted in platinum with eight petal-shaped white diamonds sold for over five million dollars (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/fashion/18iht-acaj-fancy-18.html?_r=1) in Singapore in early 2011.