The Most Expensive Diamonds In the World
Prized for their exquisite beauty, rarity, and durability, diamonds are considered the most valuable and sought after gemstones in the world. For centuries, diamonds have been used as symbols of wealth, status, and love. While all diamonds are precious, some are exceptionally rare and valuable, commanding prices that are almost beyond comprehension. The most coveted diamonds are those that display exceptional colour and clarity and are of considerable size, and the historical and societal significance of these gems has only served to increase their value. Keep reading as we take a closer look at the most expensive diamonds in the world.
The Pink Star
The Pink Star, also known as the Steinmetz Pink, is a 59.60-carat oval cut pink diamond that was mined in South Africa. It is considered the largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). In 2017, the Pink Star was sold for a record-breaking $71.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, making it the most expensive diamond ever sold.
The Oppenheimer Blue
The Oppenheimer Blue is a 14.62-carat rectangular-cut blue diamond that was named after its former owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer. It was sold for $50.6 million at a Christie’s auction in Geneva in 2016, setting a new record for the most expensive blue diamond ever sold. The diamond has a perfect VVS1 clarity grade and is set in a platinum ring with trapeze-shaped diamonds on either side.
The Blue Moon of Josephine
Set in a ring with a double row of pavé diamonds and flanked by two smaller cushion-shaped diamonds, The Blue Moon of Josephine is a 12.03-carat cushion-cut fancy vivid blue diamond that was named after the daughter of billionaire owner Joseph Lau. The diamond was sold for $48.5 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva in 2015, making it the most expensive diamond ever sold per carat at the time.
The Graff Pink
The Graff Pink is a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that was originally owned by American jeweller Harry Winston. It was sold to British jeweller Laurence Graff for $46 million, making it the most expensive single jewel ever sold at the time. The diamond has a unique emerald cut and is set in a platinum ring with two shield-shaped diamonds on either side.
The Winston Blue
The Winston Blue is a 13.22-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond that was owned by Harry Winston before being sold at a Christie’s auction in Geneva in 2014 for $23.8 million. The diamond has a perfect VVS2 clarity grade and is set in a platinum ring with pear-shaped and circular-cut diamonds on the band.
The Pink Promise
The Pink Promise is a 14.93 carat oval-cut fancy vivid pink diamond that was sold for $31.9 million at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong in 2017. The diamond is set in a platinum ring with two pear-shaped diamonds on either side. The Pink Promise was previously owned by a private collector in the United States who named the diamond after his daughter.
The Perfect Pink
A pink diamond dubbed ‘The Perfect Pink’ is a 14.23-carat fancy intense pink diamond that was sold at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong in 2012 for $23.2 million, making it the most expensive jewel ever sold in Asia at the time. The diamond has a perfect VVS2 clarity grade and is set in a platinum ring with two pear-shaped diamonds on either side.
The Moussaieff Red
The Moussaieff Red is a 5.11-carat fancy red diamond with a triangular brilliant cut that was discovered in the 1990s by a Brazilian Farmer. It is the world’s largest known red diamond, the rarest of all colours. The jewel was later acquired in 2001-2002 by Shlomo Moussaieff, an Israeli-born jewellery dealer in London, and is currently owned by Moussaieff Jewellers Ltd.
While these diamonds are out of reach by the majority, it doesn’t stop us from gazing at the opulence and beauty of these jewels. However, if you are looking to purchase a diamond, we have helpful guides on choosing the right diamond for you, including the most popular diamond shapes and the various different types of diamond.
