The Martian Pink

The biggest pink diamond on record sold for $17.4 million in a Christie’s Hong Kong auction yesterday, off an estimate of $8- $12 million, testament to the healthy appetite for trophy assets amongst the super rich.

The Martian Pink, a 12.04 carat diamond with 57 facets, is extremely rare. Unlike most diamonds it shows no trace of another colour, said Christies. Its high price may also be attributed to the fact it has not been seen on the market since 1976.

The hammer was brought down after 6 minutes of frenzied bidding, sold to an anonymous telephone bidder.

The Martian Pink was previously owned by a private collector and was named by US jeweller Ronald Winston in 1976, the year that America sent a satellite mission to Mars.