Williamson pink diamond

The Williamson pink diamond is a flawless pink diamond set in a brooch that is part of the Royal Collection.

History

The 54.5-carat (11 g) rough diamond was discovered at the Williamson diamond mine in Tanganyika in October 1947.[1] A month later, the owner of the mine, Canadian geologist John Williamson, gave the uncut stone to Princess Elizabeth as a wedding present.[2]

In 1948, the princess and her grandmother, Queen Mary, visited the London diamond cutters Briefel and Lemer to watch the diamond being cut into a 23.6-carat (5 g) round brilliant.[1]

In 1952, the pink diamond became the main feature of a 4.5-inch (11 cm) platinum brooch designed by Frederick Mew of Cartier, at the centre of a jonquil-shaped flower with five petals and two leaves of noisette-cut diamonds and a stalk of baguette cut diamonds.[1][2]

In 2022, a similar pink diamond from the same mine but half the size (11.15 carats) was sold at an auction for $57.7 million.[3]

See also

• List of diamonds
• Jewels of Elizabeth II

References

1. Field, Leslie (1987). The Queen's Jewels. Harry N. Abrams. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-297-79140-9.
2. "The Williamson Diamond Brooch: the Royal Collection". Royalcollection.org.uk. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007.
3. DeMarco, Anthony. "11.15-Carat Williamson Pink Star Diamond Fetches $57.7 Million, A World Record Price". Forbes. Retrieved 19 June 2024.