Human nature probably drives us to want whatever is the biggest, the rarest or the most prized.
Among those in pursuit of the most extraordinary gemstones, coloured diamonds - known in the trade as fancy colours - are among the latest exquisite treasures to own.
Christie's December 1 auction in Hong Kong of The Vivid Pink, a 5-carat fancy vivid pink potentially flawless diamond, has sent a ripple of excitement through the ranks of elite collectors.
The Vivid Pink's estimated price of US$5-7 million makes it one of the most important pink diamonds ever to be offered at auction.
'Most pinks have a secondary or modifying colour, like purplish pink or orangey pink but this is a pure pink with no secondary colour so it is very sought after,' explained Mei Giam, associate specialist with Christie's Hong Kong's jewellery department.
How rare is it? Experts say fancy coloured diamonds - which come in various shades of pink, blue, red, green, yellow and brown - account for less than 0.1 per cent of all diamonds.