This rare and dazzling collection, donated by Ronald Winston, son of legendary jeweller Harry Winston, marks a significant addition to the National Gem Collection.
At 2.33 carats, the Winston Red Diamond is an extraordinary find—one of the very few diamonds to receive a coveted Fancy Red grading from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Red diamonds are among the rarest in the world, with fewer than one in 25 million exhibiting this natural hue. Unlike other coloured diamonds that derive their tones from atomic impurities, the Winston Red Diamond’s deep crimson colour results from intense pressure and temperature conditions altering its crystal structure.
“This is one of the most remarkable gifts in Smithsonian history,” said Kirk Johnson, Sant Director of the National Museum of Natural History. “The Winston diamonds are unmatched in rarity and beauty, and we are honored to welcome them into our collection.”
The diamonds will be displayed in the museum’s Winston Gallery, arranged in a vibrant spectrum of colors ranging from teal to peach. The collection, assembled over six decades by Ronald Winston, cements his family’s legacy in the world of fine gems. It joins the legendary Hope Diamond, which Harry Winston famously donated to the Smithsonian in 1958.
“The Winston Red Diamond is the highlight of my career,” said Ronald Winston. “I’m delighted to share this collection with the world and contribute to the Smithsonian’s ongoing mission to educate and inspire.”
A forthcoming study on the diamond’s origins and significance will be featured in the spring 2025 issue of Gems & Gemology, the GIA’s professional journal.
The Winston Red Diamond and Fancy Color Diamond Collection will be on public display starting April 1, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the brilliance and rarity of the world’s most extraordinary natural diamonds.
