It's no surprise that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but have you ever wondered what the world's most expensive diamonds are? From the infamous Hope Diamond to the stunning Blue Moon of Josephine, we've rounded up fifteen of the most expensive diamonds in the world. Whether it be their historical relevance or simply their staggering size- and staggering price tag- and clarity, these precious gems are certain pieces of pure luxury. Prepare to be dazzled as we learn more about the world's most expensive diamonds.
What Makes Diamonds Expensive?
What makes diamonds so expensive? They are certainly some, if not the most expensive, engagement rings still bought today, with the most expensive diamond ring in the world currently priced at $80 million. Diamonds are graded based on the 4 C's – Clarity, Color, Cut, and Carat Weight. The shape also must be taken into consideration when evaluating the quality of a diamond.
Their rarity, combined with their beauty and brilliance, make them extremely sought-after gems. In order to determine a diamond’s monetary worth, all of these factors must be taken into consideration. The higher the quality in all of these categories, the more expensive a diamond will be. Additionally, some diamonds that have historical significance or interesting stories attached to them can also increase their value.
Most expensive diamond cut and shape
The most expensive diamond cut is going to be the ‘perfect' or ‘ideal' cut, which expertly optimizes the light-reflecting qualities of the diamond. This type of cutting requires an immense amount of precision and skill. The perfect cut often results in large, clear diamonds with a fire and brilliance that is unparalleled by any other type of cutting. The “perfect” cut is most frequently seen in the round brilliant cut, the classic choice for diamonds- and the most expensive diamond shape.
This diamond cut has 58 facets and gives off a much brighter light than other cuts. The round brilliant cut has been popular since its introduction in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky and is still the go-to cut when it comes to expensive diamonds. The proportions of the round brilliant cut were designed to be the ideal proportions to reflect the most light. The round brilliant cut can be used in engagement rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and any other jewelry piece.
The round brilliant cut diamond never fails to deliver an extraordinary sparkle, which is why it continues to be the most popular diamond shape by far and can skyrocket the price of a diamond.
Most expensive diamond color
When it comes to the world's most expensive diamonds, size and shape play a big role in driving up the price. But color can also be a major factor in determining how much a diamond is worth. The rarest and most valuable colors are intense blues, reds, pinks, and deep yellows – with some of the top 15 most expensive diamonds in the world boasting these colors.
In 2017, a pink diamond, “The Pink Star”, sold for $71 million – the highest price paid at an auction for a diamond to date. However, the most expensive diamond color to obtain is red diamond, as there are less than 100 of these in the world right now. The red coloration is obtained by the diamond during an unusual mining process.
Red diamonds may not carry the highest price tag- for example, the largest red diamond ever sold was sold for $8 million, which seems to pale in comparison to the pink diamond that sold for more than 8 times that amount just 6 years ago.
However, the most expensive red diamond ever sold was only 5.11 carats, making the price of each carat $1.6 million, while the carats in the Pink Star only sold for $1.19 million, with the diamond weighing 59.6 carats and selling for $71 million(see #4).
15 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World
1. Kohinoor Diamond: priceless
The Kohinoor Diamond is one of the most famous and easily recognizable diamonds in the world. It has a long and storied history, having been owned by many Indian rulers before becoming part of the Crown Jewels of Britain in 1849. It is considered priceless due to its immense historical and cultural value as well as the unique quality of the diamond. It weighs 105.6 carats and is now set in a plain gold mounting. Its unique beauty has made it the subject of many stories and legends.
The Kohinoor Diamond was originally much larger, said to have weighed 186 carats before being re-cut by the British. The first certain mention of the diamond dates back to the Mughal Empire, which ruled India, present-day Pakistan, and parts of Afghanistan. A Mughal king commissioned a throne to be built and mentioned in written text the “Kohinoor Diamond” as the centerpiece for his throne.
The Kohinoor is a colorless, oval-shaped diamond and is currently on display in the Tower of London in a crown made for the late Queen Mother. It was last worn publicly in 2002. The dispute over who owns the diamond is still ongoing, with India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan all claiming ownership.
2. The Sancy Diamond: priceless
The Sancy Diamond is currently owned by the Louvre, who bought it in 1978 for $1 million. Even by today's standards, the Sancy Diamond was not bought for a hefty sum of money in comparison to the other diamonds on this list. However, it currently has no defined price and is considered priceless due to its history and cultural significance.
The Sancy Diamond is a 55.23-carat pale yellow diamond with a pear-shaped cut and pointy ends. It was discovered in India sometime before 1570 and has since been owned by many notable figures over the centuries, including kings and queens of France and England. It is believed to have been in the possession of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, during the 15th century and was likely part of his crown jewels. The diamond gained its name after it was bought in 1570 by Nicolas Harlay de Sancy, a French diplomat. After his death, the diamond was sold to James I of England and eventually purchased by the Louvre from the Astor family.
The Sancy Diamond is now housed in its own special case in the Louvre museum and is a significant part of French culture. It has been the subject of many books, films, and other forms of media over the years, and its story has been captivating people for centuries. The diamond is a symbol of wealth and power but also has a great historical and cultural value that cannot be measured in monetary terms.
3. The Cullinan Diamond: $400 million
The Cullinan Diamond is the world’s largest gem-quality diamond ever found, weighing 3106.75 carats (621.35 g). It was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and later presented to King Edward VII of Britain as a gift from the Transvaal Colony. The rough diamond had to be cut into nine separate stones, with the largest two being named the Cullinan I (Great Star of Africa) and Cullinan II (Lesser Star of Africa).
The Cullinan I sits in the Sovereign's Royal Scepter, expected to be displayed publicly to the world again in May when Charles III is coronated, as is the Cullinan II, which sits in the Imperial State Crown. The Crown of Great Britain also kept the other 7 Cullinan diamonds for use in other crowns and jewelry. The Cullinan Diamond is estimated to be worth over $400 million. The Cullinan I is an incredible 530-carat (106 g) pear-shaped stone, while the Cullinan II is a 317-carat (63 g) cushion-shaped diamond.
The other 7 Cullinan diamonds include three marquise cuts, two pear cuts, one cushion cut, and one heart-shaped cut. These stones range in size from 6 carats to 94 carats. The Crown also owns many minor brilliant cut diamonds that came from the original Cullinan Diamond.
4. The Hope Diamond: $250 million
The Hope Diamond is perhaps one of the most iconic diamonds in the world, and it's also one of the most expensive. This rare blue diamond weighs 45.52 carats and has an antique cushion cut. It was discovered in India in 1642 and later acquired by King Louis XIV of France, who had the diamond cut to enhance its beauty.
It has since been passed through many owners, including Harry Winston, who later donated it to the Smithsonian Institution. The Hope Diamond is estimated to be worth $250 million and has been notoriously linked to curses throughout its long history. The Hope Diamond exhibits a phenomenon of changing color from blue in daylight to an eerie red glow in the dark.
This phenomenon has helped propel the notion that the Hope Diamond is cursed- although the unfortunate demise of some of its more prominent owners, such as Louis XIV, started the rumors of a curse.
5. De Beers Centenary Diamond: $100 million
The De Beers Centenary Diamond is one of the most valuable diamonds in the world and it has an interesting history. It was discovered at the Premier Mine in South Africa in 1986 and weighed 599 carats before it was cut into a 273.85-carat colorless diamond. It holds several distinctions, including being the largest flawless diamond of its color, inside and out, ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.
The De Beers Centenary Diamond was cut into a heart-shaped stone with 99 facets, making it one of the rarest and most valuable diamonds in the world. It was displayed to celebrate De Beers' centenary in 1988 and is valued at an estimated $100 million.
The diamond is currently owned by a London-based jeweler and has been exhibited in several countries around the world. It is considered one of the most famous diamonds of all time, and its rarity and beauty make it highly sought after by collectors everywhere.
6. The Pink Star Diamond: $71.2 million
The Pink Star Diamond is the most expensive diamond in the world sold at an auction to date. This diamond was sold for a staggering $71.2 million in 2017. Discovered in 1999 by De Beers, it was originally mined and cut from a 132.5-carat raw diamond discovered in Africa. The finished product, an oval mix-cut fancy vivid pink diamond, was certified by the Gemological Institute of America as the largest Vivid Pink diamond ever graded.
The pink diamond is set in a ring with a weight of 59.60 carats and measures 2.69 x 2.06 x 1.3 centimeters in size. The sheer size and rarity of this diamond make it one of the world’s most valuable gems.
The Pink Star Diamond was bought, cut, and polished by the Steinmetz Group over a period of two years. It was then put on display in Monaco in 2003, where it received a lot of attention from collectors. In 2013, the diamond was sold to Isaac Wolf for $83 million at a Sotheby’s auction. However, the sale was declared void after the buyer failed to make the required payment.
The diamond was re-auctioned by Sotheby's in 2017, and this time, it was sold for $71.2 million to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises.
7. The Regent Diamond: $61 million
The Regent Diamond is a historic 141-carat diamond of Indian origin, with an estimated value of up to $61 million. It was discovered in the year 1701 and cut into the shape now known as the “Regent” after being purchased by Thomas Pitt in 1717. The stone has had many famous owners throughout its history, including the Duke of Orléans, otherwise known as Philippe II; Louis XV of France; and Napoleon III.
Today, The Regent Diamond is part of the Royal Treasury collection at the Louvre Museum in Paris and has been in the museum since 1887. It is remarkable for its clarity and luster, making it one of the most sought-after diamonds in the world- not that the Louvre has indicated any intention of letting it go.
The Regent Diamond sat in the crowns of several French monarchs, including Napolean III and Charles X. It was last put in a crown for Empress Eugenie, the counterpart of Napolean III. This diamond carries not only great monetary wealth but great cultural capital for the French as well.
8. The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond: $57.5 million
The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond was discovered in the early 1900s at an impressive 14.62 carats. The diamond was named after the British financier Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, who was the founder of De Beers diamond company. It has an intense blue color and is rated as a fancy vivid blue diamond. The diamond was cut into a rectangular shape with curved sides, known as “the cushion modified brilliant”, and is set in an 18-karat gold ring.
The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond sold for $57 million at Christie's Geneva in May 2016, making it one of the most expensive diamonds ever sold at auction. The buyer of the diamond is unknown. The Oppenheimer Blue is considered to be one of the rarest and most exquisite diamonds in the world, as it is a natural blue diamond with no known treatments or enhancements. Its value is due to its size, color, and clarity, which makes it a highly sought-after gemstone.
9. The Winston Pink Legacy: $49.4 million
The Winston Pink Legacy is a magnificent diamond that was auctioned at Christie’s in Geneva, Switzerland, for an incredible $49.4 million to Harry Winston. This flawless diamond belongs to the type IIa category, which makes it one of the rarest and purest diamonds in existence. Type IIa diamonds have no impurities.
It has an incredibly beautiful pink color and weighs 18.96 carats, making it one of the largest pink diamonds in the world. Its octagonal cut and impeccable clarity make it all the more mesmerizing. The diamond was set in a platinum ring with a diamond halo by Harry Winston himself.
The Winston Pink Legacy was first found as a rough stone in South Africa in 1918 and subsequently cut in 1920, originally owned by the Oppenheimer family.
10. The Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond: $48.4 million
The Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond is a 12.03-carat, internally flawless, and cushion-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond. It was auctioned off by Sotheby’s Geneva in 2015 for a whopping $48.4 million USD – making it one of the world's most expensive diamonds. It was cut in a cushion shape from a 29.62-carat rough diamond discovered in South Africa in 2014.
The Blue Moon of Josephine was bought by Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau, who named the diamond after his daughter, Josephine, to whom he gifted it. With its impeccable clarity and vivid blue color, the Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond is one of the most beautiful diamonds in existence. It is also the largest cushion-cut fancy vivid blue diamond to ever appear at an auction.
11. The Graff Pink Diamond: $46.2 million
The Graff Pink diamond, a 24.78-carat emerald cut diamond, was purchased by London-based jeweler Laurence Graff in 2010 at an auction in Geneva, Switzerland. The diamond is classified as a Fancy, Intense Pink, one of the rarest colors in the world. It is set in a platinum ring with two triangular-shaped diamonds, showcasing the beauty of the Graff Pink’s vivid hue.
This rare gem was the first internally flawless fancy intense pink diamond ever to be certified by the Gemological Institute of America and is considered to be one of the most valuable jewels in the world. Although it was valued and bought at $46.2 million in 2010, experts believe that this diamond’s price could easily climb to $70 million today due to its rarity.
The origins of the Graff Pink Diamond are unclear, although it is known that Harry Winston owned it at one point.
12. Lesotho Legend: $40 million
The Lesotho Legend was discovered in January 2018 at the Letseng mine in Lesotho and weighed a whopping 910 carats uncut. It was bought at auction for $40 million later that year by Van Cleef and Arpels, who cut the diamond into 67 unique, smaller diamonds to be used in pieces with the help of stone cutters. The Lesotho Legend is classified as a Type IIa diamond. Type IIa diamonds are considered the purest diamonds in existence. It is also graded a D-color, meaning it is colorless. It is the fifth largest high-quality gemstone ever discovered.
13. The Princie Diamond: $39.3 million
The Princie Diamond is an incredibly unique gem with a deep purplish-pink hue and 34 carats of cushion-cut pure brilliance. The mine that it was discovered in is located in India’s Golconda region. The history of the Princie Diamond can be traced back to the Indian monarch Nizam of Hyderabad in the 1700s.
The Princie Diamond became lost to history after the first recorded possession until Pierre Arpels bought it at a Sotheby's auction in 1960. Since then, the Princie Diamond has passed through the hands of different families and been entrenched in complicated legal arguments over who really owns it since its last owner died in 2009- and the diamond disappeared as well. The Princie Diamond later reappeared at a New York Christie's auction in 2013, where it was sold to the Qatari royal family for 39.3 million dollars.
14. The Orange Diamond: $35.5 million
The Orange Diamond is a rare and stunningly beautiful diamond that weighs in at a hefty 14.82 carats. It has an intense orange-brown color, radiant clarity, and brilliant cut—all of which were factors in its sale for $35.5 million in 2013. It was auctioned off at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels Sale in November 2013 and set a world record for being the most expensive orange diamond to ever be sold at an auction. The stone was bought by an anonymous bidder and is the world's largest fancy vivid orange diamond ever sold at auction.
15. The Sakura Diamond: $29.3 million
The Sakura Diamond is the largest pink diamond to be found in Russia, where it was mined. The name “Sakura” translates to “cherry blossom” and refers to its beautiful pink color. It weighs 4 carats and has a fancy intense pink hue. This diamond was sold at an auction in Hong Kong for $29.3 million in 2021. It was purchased by a private collector, and its current whereabouts are unknown. The Sakura Diamond sports a mixed cushion-cut shape and is set in a simple platinum ring, where the Type IIa diamond can shine, free from any impurities- rare for any diamond, particularly a pink diamond.
The world is home to some of the most valuable and beautiful diamonds ever discovered. From the vivid Graff Pink Diamond to the unique Princie Diamond, each of these stones are one-of-a-kind and incredibly rare. Each diamond has its own incredible story that makes it truly remarkable, and their prices, as well as their often-turbulent histories, reflect just how culturally significant these jewels continue to be.
