Today marks a crazy day in the history of gemstones. At Sotheby’s Geneva a world auction record was set for any jewel when it sold an exceptionally rare Fancy Intense Pink diamond of the purest, vibrant hue, weighing 24.78 carats for $46,158,674.
That, my friends is one pretty penny in pink. The diamond was purchased by Laurence Graff. Shortly after the sale, he named the diamond “The Graff Pink” and made the following statement: “It is the most fabulous diamond I’ve seen in the history of my career and I’m delighted to have bought it.”
Delighted? C’mon Larry, could you not find a stronger word than delighted?
Being a woman who appreciates fine things and all, I can not help but think what the 46 mil could by in times like these. Please don’t get me wrong, if Mr. Graff wants to buy this diamond and it tickles him pink to do so, I say go for it. As a self made billionaire (yes, with a B – he is worth 2.5 billion) he surely has the gelt to make this purchase. And for those who will judge him, he seems to have the give back thing tied up pretty well.
A lover of diamonds he is equally in love with philanthropic and humanitarian causes. He supports Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund, ARK, Elton John’s AIDS Foundation, to name a few. He established FACET (For Africa’s Children Every Time), devoted to distributing funds for the education, health and welfare of children in Africa. The Graff Leadership Center directly benefits from these funds and is a training center, hostel and home to 50 orphan girls, victims of the AID and HIV epidemic.
Still, I can’t help but think that 46 mil could buy a hell of a lot for so many in need. Funny the way it is… one man buys a diamond for 46 mil while the same amount could buy 13 million gallons of milk for starving kids. Seems sort of crazy, no?
Just saying.
i could cry but i don't have time 
Well said and I completely agree.
thanks darryle.
it is quite beautiful though…
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Or indeed help a lot of struggling artists get a little further, but everyone has a favourite charity. If I had that kind of money to burn, I’d be supporting local sports clubs, the local animal shelter, the local rape crisis and women’s aid shelters … But I don’t.
I agree, we all have our charities. And it seems this guy does too. This purchase was the pinnacle of his career and really just a business transaction. We don’t judge when someone spends that kind of money on real estate, right? Still, it just blows our minds that a gem could be worth that kind of money.
Hey, think of the manicure you would have to maintain to wear that baby. And the bodyguards you would have to carry around.
Graff Diamonds will be sponsoring the backstage green room at the 17th SAG Awards. In 2007 Laurence Graff published ‘The Most Fabulous Jewels in the World: Graff’ – a definitive coffee table book chronicling Graff’s amazing journey and important jewels. All proceeds of this publication support the Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund. Graff has so graciously donated one to support the SAG Foundation. Enjoy this fabulous book on your coffee table! http://www.sagawards.com/auction