Prepare to be mesmerized! One of the planet’s most elusive treasures, the breathtaking Winston Red diamond, is currently captivating audiences at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
This deep crimson gem, boasting a rich history and unparalleled brilliance, is a true spectacle to behold.
Weighing in at a significant 2.33 carats and holding the highly coveted GIA color grade of “Fancy red,” the Winston Red stands as the fifth-largest red diamond of its kind ever unearthed. What makes its presence even more extraordinary is that it’s the only one of this caliber currently accessible for public viewing.
This remarkable diamond takes center stage in a brand-new exhibition within the museum’s prestigious Winston Gallery. Here, it shares the spotlight with 40 other exquisite specimens from the renowned Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection, creating a dazzling symphony of hues.
Recently, the Winston Red underwent meticulous examination by a team of esteemed scientists from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), collaborating with experts from the Smithsonian and the prestigious Paris School of Mines. Their mission: to unravel the geological secrets behind the gem’s intense and captivating color and to trace its origins.
“The Winston Red diamond is truly one of the most exquisite gems our Earth has produced,” declared Susan Jacques, the President and CEO of GIA. “With fewer than two dozen pure red diamonds exceeding one carat ever recorded, this stone represents a profound rarity, both scientifically and naturally. For GIA, the opportunity to study such a gem marks a significant milestone.”
Red diamonds are the undisputed champions of rarity among colored diamonds, accounting for a mere 0.07% of over a million colored diamonds analyzed by the GIA. Within this tiny fraction, only a select few achieve the esteemed “Fancy red” classification.
Dr. Ulrika D’Haenens-Johansson, Senior Manager of Diamond Research at GIA, shed light on the gem’s extraordinary hue, attributing it to a fascinating process called plastic deformation. This occurs when immense stress during the diamond’s formation deep within the Earth causes a shift in its crystal structure. As Dr. D’Haenens-Johansson eloquently put it, “It’s as if the diamond was squeezed and is now intensely blushing. The Winston Red tells a compelling story of immense geological pressure and the passage of eons.”
Tom Moses, GIA Executive Vice President, who first encountered this remarkable stone in 1987, described it as “unforgettable.” He highlighted its distinctive old mine cut, its vibrant red saturation, and its significant historical journey. Records indicate that the diamond was acquired in 1938 by the legendary Maharaja of Nawanagar, an Indian royal celebrated for his extravagant taste in jewels, from the renowned jeweller Jacques Cartier.
The Winston Red and its accompanying collection found their permanent home at the Smithsonian through a generous donation from Ronald Winston, the son of the iconic jeweller Harry Winston. Dr. Gabriela A. Farfan, the museum’s curator of gems and minerals, hailed the donation as “one of the most significant in recent decades.”
“The concept for this exhibit was inspired by a symphony,” Dr. Farfan explained. “And in this dazzling orchestra of color, the Winston Red acts as the conductor, leading a vibrant rainbow of other fancy color diamonds.”
For those eager to delve deeper into the scientific findings, a comprehensive article detailing the team’s analysis will be published this spring in Gems & Gemology, GIA’s highly respected peer-reviewed journal. The lead authors include Dr. Farfan and Dr. D’Haenens-Johansson, alongside researchers from GIA, the Smithsonian, and the Paris School of Mines.
The new exhibition, which opened its doors on April 1st, extends a special invitation to the public to witness firsthand the rare beauty and natural wonder of the Winston Red. This gem, as enigmatic as it is magnificent, promises an unforgettable experience for all who have the privilege of beholding its crimson glow. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to connect with a true marvel of the natural world!