The Winston Red Diamond is one of the most exquisite red diamonds in the world. At 2.33 carats (~8mm in diameter), it is the 5th-largest Fancy red diamond. “Fancy red” means that the diamond is pure red and that it does not have any modifying hues like brown, purple, or orange. While red or reddish diamonds are renowned for being ultra-rare, only 0.04% of fancy color diamonds boast this Fancy red color grade. In fact, your chances of finding a Fancy red diamond like the Winston Red is only one in 25 million diamonds!
The Winston Red was likely mined before the middle of the 20th century, due to its old mine brilliant cut—an older style cut that predates the modern brilliant cuts. The Winston Red has an I2 clarity grade, indicating that it has many visible imperfections, such as inclusions and fractures. Luckily, this bears little consequence on the beauty and value of such a prominent Fancy red diamond. In fact, most red diamonds are heavily fractured due to plastic deformation - the high-pressure geological conditions that took place to produce their colors.
The Winston Red was gifted by Mr. Ronald Winston in December of 2023 and is now on exhibit in the museum’s Winston Gallery. It is accompanied by 40 other fancy color diamonds that span the rainbow and are a promised gift of Ronald Winston.
To learn more about the Winston Red, look out for the upcoming spring issue ofGems & Gemology, which will feature the rich history of the diamond and a scientific study conducted by scientists from the Smithsonian, Gemological Institute of America, and Paris School of Mines.
Revealing the Winston Red Diamond
Revealing the Stunning 2.33-Carat Winston Red Diamond
Gallery
The Winston Red Diamond on display at the National Museum of Natural History
