CTF Pink Diamond Sets New World Auction Record at Sotheby’s:

April 5, 2017

By Katerina Perez

2 min read

Sotheby’s set a new world auction record for any diamond or jewel on the evening of 4 April 2017 with the $71.2 million sale of the Pink Star, a 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut Fancy Vivid Pink Internally Flawless diamond. The sale of the Pink Star more than doubled the previous record for the Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond ‘Unique Pink’ and what is even more remarkable is that it marks the highest price for any jewel ever sold at auction in Asia.

The Pink Star has been renamed the CTF Pink after its acquirer, the Chinese jewellery giant Chow Tai Fook, in memory of Dr. Cheng Yu-Tung, who was the founder of the brand and father of the current chairman Dr. Henry Cheng Kar-Shun. Chow Tai Fook is one of the most popular jewellery brands in the Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking world, with over 2,000 outlets in mainland China alone.

«CTF Pink» - 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut diamond

«CTF Pink» - 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut diamond

 «CTF Pink» - 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut diamond

«CTF Pink» - 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut diamond

“It is fitting that the owner of the most prestigious jeweller in Greater China should today break the record for the most valuable item ever sold in Asia as well as the most valuable diamond ever sold at auction – now appropriately named the CTF Pink,” said Sotheby’s President and CEO Tad Smith. David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Division, added: “I am delighted that this magnificently beautiful diamond has been rightfully crowned the most valuable gemstone ever sold at auction. The price has more than doubled the record for a Fancy Vivid Pink diamond that we set just last year in Geneva.”

The “CTF” Pink was mined by De Beers in Africa in 1999. Originally a 132.50-carat rough diamond, it transformed over two years into this fastidiously cut and polished stunning gemstone. Specialists of Gemological Institute of America (GIA) have never graded an Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Pink diamond of such significant size as the 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut gem. In the end, not only was its carat weight set to impress everyone around, but also its high clarity and colour was to belong to Type IIa – an exceptionally rare subgroup of less than 2% of all gem diamonds. Stones in Type IIa are the purest diamond crystals chemically, with an astonishing optical transparency.

«CTF Pink» - 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut diamond

«CTF Pink» - 59.60-carat oval mixed-cut diamond

In 2010, Chow Tai Fook set a new record for the highest price paid for a rough diamond when the company purchased the Cullinan Heritage, an outstandingly rare 507-carat diamond, for $35.3 million. In commemoration of the esteemed brand’s 88th anniversary, the “CTF” Pink joined other extraordinary stones in Chow Tai Fook collection, including the Aurora Green, a 5.03-carat vivid green diamond acquired last year for $16.8 million, and “A Heritage in Bloom”, the unrivalled masterpiece of diamond jewellery created from the Cullinan Heritage.

The Grand Phoenix: A Necklace That Made A Lot Of Noise At Baselworld

continue reading

Watches and Wonders 2025: The Coolest Watch Novelties

With pastel pops, Pop Art influences, and playful twists on time itself, Watches and Wonders 2025 delivered a vibrant feast of creativity. Discover the fun new watches setting trends in Geneva this spring

by Rachael Taylor

White Hot: Achromatic Jewellery is Having a Moment

Let’s explore the revival of all white jewellery and discover why this look is universally complementary – and a great investment.  

by Rachael Taylor

Reinventing Royalty: The European-Inspired Luxury Behind Isabel Gemology 

I started 2025 with a series of articles titled ‘Jeweller of the Month’ to highlight the true talent among niche designers in the jewellery industry. For May, it is Isabel Delgado, the founder of Isabel Gemology, who I would like to shine the spotlight on.

by Katerina Perez

Watches and Wonders 2025: Eight of the Most Artful Dials 

From lovers kissing on a bridge to precious animals painted in enamel or gems, this year’s watch launches included timepieces with extraordinary dials that blur the line between watchmaking and wearable art.

by Rachael Taylor

Birthday Wishes: Embracing the Power of Being Different 

Today, I want to share my thoughts on embracing your inner self and channelling all that power into your biggest passions…

by Katerina Perez

Flip the Script: Meet the Jewellers Creating Luxury Customised Watches

Jewellery designers are increasingly turning their artistic talents to the world of horology, customising luxury watches with unique embellishments that carry their personal style signatures. From reimagined Rolexes to gemstone-studded bezels, discover how jewellers are making their mark on the world of timepieces

by Rachael Taylor

Iconic Revival: Boucheron Reinvents the Serpent Bohème Jewellery

That nostalgic feeling of seeing past creations—sometimes forgotten, sometimes iconic—sparking a rush of inspiration to reimagine and breathe new life into what once was. That's exactly what Boucheron has achieved with its latest revival: the Serpent Bohème Vintage collection

by Hirshi Sujanti

Art Deco Innovation: Exploring the Iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery Setting

The Mystery Setting by Van Cleef & Arpels stands out as a masterpiece of Art Deco ingenuity. As the world celebrates the centenary of Art Deco in 2025, we are taking the opportunity to spotlight one of the most technically ambitious innovations to emerge from this golden era of jewellery design

by Claire Roberts

Emerald Odyssey: Chopard Unveils its Insofu High Jewellery Collection

There's nothing quite like the thrill of a new collection unveiling. But what truly excites me isn't just the sparkle and glamour – it's when a brand takes a bold and unexpected approach. This is exactly what Chopard has done with its latest Insofu High Jewellery collection, which all started with the extraordinary 6,225-carat 'Insofu' rough emerald. Let's take a closer look at the creations that have emerged from this incredible mineral specimen

by Hirshi Sujanti

Watches and Wonders 2025: The Best Jewellery Watches 

From diamond-drenched serpents to enamelled blooms and secret talismans, these new jewellery watches unveiled in Geneva embody the artistry, emotion and extravagance of high jewellery watchmaking for women

by Rachael Taylor

Refined Character: The Ancient-Meets-Modern Allure of Dionysios Fine Jewels

The Dionysios signature is all about warm, soulful jewellery that’s characterful without being overtly historical or too starkly modern. Let’s take a closer look at some of the brand’s highlights…

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Reinventing Royalty:The European-Inspired Luxury Behind Isabel Gemology

I started 2025 with a series of articles titled ‘Jeweller of the Month’ to highlight the true talent among niche designers in the jewellery industry. For May, it is Isabel Delgado, the founder of Isabel Gemology, who I would like to shine the spotlight on.

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.