Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale in Autumn Luxury Week in Geneva includes a 1950s Bulgari ‘Fancy Intense Pink’ diamond ring, estimated at $12 million–$18 million. The 24-karat diamond, acquired in India by the current owner’s great-grandfather, underwent a rare structural deformation during its formation, giving it a coveted pink hue.

The ring’s history is intertwined with post-war Rome’s glamour, where Bulgari’s Via Condotti boutique was a social hub for Hollywood celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer.

With the diamond classified as Type IIa, fewer than two percent of diamonds worldwide share this distinction. Pink diamonds owe their colour to a rare distortion of the crystal lattice caused by intense pressure during their formation within the Earth, altering the way light passes through, producing their distinctive hue.

This auction not only offers a glimpse into the past but also highlights the enduring allure of diamonds that have captivated humanity for centuries.