Explore everything about the rarest red diamond ever discovered.
The Moussaieff Red Diamond was discovered in the 1990s by a Brazilian miner in the Alto Paranaíba region. The rough stone weighed 13.9 carats before it was cut into a 5.11-carat brilliant gem. Originally known as the “Red Shield Diamond,” it was later renamed after being acquired by Moussaieff Jewellers. This red diamond remains one of the most valuable and mysterious gems in the world.
Read MoreRed diamonds are classified as the rarest colored diamonds in the world. Unlike yellow or blue diamonds, red ones don’t get their color from impurities. Instead, they derive it from distortions in their crystal structure during formation. That’s why the Moussaieff Red, with a “Fancy Red” grading, is an extremely rare natural phenomenon.
Read MoreThe unique red color in diamonds like the Moussaieff Red comes from what's called “plastic deformation” in the atomic lattice of the gem. This means internal stress and pressure altered the way light passes through it, resulting in a stunning red hue. The process is so rare that only a few red diamonds exist globally, and fewer still are flawless.
Read MoreValued at over $20 million USD, the Moussaieff Red Diamond is considered a treasure beyond measure. Factors influencing its price include carat weight, flawless clarity, intense red color, and its historical importance. It has also been featured in elite exhibitions such as “The Splendor of Diamonds” at the Smithsonian.
Read MoreUnlike many famous diamonds that are displayed in museums, the Moussaieff Red is privately held and rarely shown to the public. Its mysterious presence, combined with unmatched rarity, has only added to its legend in the world of gemstones.
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