The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is set to introduce an impressive new addition to its gem collection: the Winston Red Diamond, a 2.33-carat fancy red diamond, recognized as one of the finest in the world. This diamond, along with the Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection, will be revealed to the public on April 1st.
This remarkable gift has been provided by Ronald Winston, the son of the famous jeweller and gem collector Harry Winston, who notably donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1958. The newly acquired pieces will be displayed in the museum’s Winston Gallery.
“This is one of the most significant donations ever made to the Smithsonian,” stated Kirk Johnson, the Sant Director of the National Museum of Natural History. “The Winston diamonds are unmatched in their beauty and rarity.”
Natural red diamonds are extremely scarce, and the Winston Red Diamond exemplifies this rarity. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), fewer than one in 25 million diamonds qualifies for the “Fancy red” color grade. Ronald Winston referred to the red diamond as the pinnacle of his career, expressing, “I have never encountered anything like it.”
The diamond’s striking crimson color results from immense pressure and heat deep within the Earth. Its old mine brilliant cut, a technique used prior to the mid-20th century, indicates it was crafted before that time period.
The Winston Red Diamond will be exhibited alongside 40 other gems from the Winston Fancy Color Diamond Collection, arranged in a vivid rainbow that showcases the complete range of diamond colors. This collection highlights 60 years of acquisitions by Ronald Winston.
A scholarly article detailing the science and history of the Winston Red Diamond is set to be published in the spring 2025 edition of Gems & Gemology, the GIA’s professional journal. Mineralogist Gabriela Farfan emphasized the collection’s astonishing array of colors, providing visitors with a unique chance to recognize the diversity of diamonds. The new exhibition, in conjunction with the Hope Diamond, will honor the Winston family’s legacy and the splendor of these extraordinary gems.