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Pink diamond expected to draw record price

A rare pink diamond to be auctioned Tuesday is expected to capture a record price, which could be as high as $38 million US.

A rare pink diamond to be auctioned Tuesday is expected to capture a record price, which could be as high as $38 million US.

An employee of Sotheby's auction house holds a 24.78 carat pink diamond mounted as a ring, last seen on the market some 60 years ago. ((Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press) )

The 24.78 carat pink diamond is exceptionally beautiful and rare. According to Sotheby's, which is auctioning the gem, it is of the purest and most vibrant hue, and was graded as flawless by the Gemological Institute of America.

The diamond was last sold 60 years ago by American jeweller Harry Winston, and has been in a private collection ever since.

The highest price paid for a jewel at auction was $24 million US for a 35.56 carat blue diamond sold in 1978.

Coloured diamonds are highly valued, especially those with blue, pink or green hues.