Pumpkin Diamond

Infobox Diamond


caption =
colour_scheme = #FF6600
gem_name = Pumpkin Diamond
weight = 5.54
grams = 1.108
color = Fancy Vivid Orange
cut = Cushion
mine = unknown
country = Central African Republic
cutter = William Goldberg
found = 1997
original_owner = unnamed farmer
owner = House of Harry Winston
value = USD 3 millionThe Pumpkin Diamond is a diamond measuring 5.54 carats (1.108 g) rated in color as Fancy Vivid Orange by the Gemological Institute of America. While this may seem relatively small when compared to other famous diamonds, the Pumpkin Diamond is, in fact, one of the largest Fancy Vivid Oranges the GIA reports having rated and is unique compared to other orange diamonds because it is relatively light-colored and notably intense. The Pumpkin Diamond was mined in Central African Republic and then imported into South Africa for sale, it was later cut and polished by William Goldberg, and put to auction at Sotheby's where it was bought by Ronald Winston of the House of Harry Winston for the price of $1.3 million. It is currently estimated to be valued at $3 million.

Formerly referred to simply as the 5.54 Vivid Orange, Winston named the diamond "The Pumpkin Diamond" as he bought it the day before Halloween. After buying the Pumpkin, Winston proceeded to have the diamond set in a ring between two smaller white diamonds. Halle Berry wore the ring to the 2002 Oscars where she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Monster's Ball".

While it is difficult to tell exactly what status the Pumpkin Diamond currently enjoys, the official GIA web site reports it as "one of the largest Fancy Vivid orange natural color diamonds in the world." The Color Diamond Encyclopedia, on the other hand, terms it "the world's largest fancy vivid orange diamond." In 1997, when it was purchased by The House of Harry Winston, the Gemstone Forecaster referred to it as "the only vivid orange ever graded by the GIA" (which is incorrect as there are several other vivid orange stones graded by GIA and offered for sale on websites, past and present).

The Pumpkin Diamond was displayed as part of the Smithsonian's "The Splendor of Diamonds" exhibit, alongside The De Beers Millennium Star, the world’s largest top colour (D) internally and externally flawless pear-shaped diamond at 203.04 carat (40.608 g) and The Heart of Eternity, a 27.64 carat (5.528 g) heart-cut blue diamond.

References

* Gemological Institute of America. [http://www.gia.edu/newsroom/issue/2798/1902/insider_newsletter_details.cfm#6 "The Pumpkin Diamond"] . Retrieved April 13, 2005.
* The World of Famous Diamonds. [http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/pumpkindiamond.html "The Pumpkin"] . Retrieved 23 September 2006
* Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. [http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/si-gems/pumpkin.html "The Splendor of Diamonds"] . Retrieved April 13, 2005.
* Color Diamond Encyclopedia. [http://www.color-diamond-encyclopedia.com/?f=ct_EN_5_20.html "The Pumpkin (Vivid Orange)"] . Retrieved April 13, 2005.
* Gemstone Forecaster. [http://www.preciousgemstones.com/gfwin97one.html "AUCTION REPORT (OCTOBER SALES)"] . Retrieved April 13, 2005.
* AM Diamonds. [http://www.am-diamonds.com/famous-diamonds.php?id=66 "Famous Diamonds: The Pumpkin Diamond"] . Retrieved April 13, 2005.
* Famous Diamonds: The Pumpkin. [http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/pumpkindiamond.html "The Pumpkin"] . Retrieved June 7, 2007.