Top 10 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World
Nature produced very few diamonds compared to other elements on Earth. Billions of years are needed for a diamond to form, and the pressure and heat deep in the Earth's mantle give diamonds their shape. Some diamonds are made into jewellery and sold, but a few have become famous for their size, clarity, colour and background. These diamonds have either commanded record-breaking prices at auctions or are considered priceless due to their extraordinary histories.
This article includes the top 10 most expensive diamonds in the world, the reasons behind their immense value, and where they are today.
Exploring the World's Most Expensive Diamonds
Here is a list of some of the highest-valued diamonds found so far.
- 1. Kohinoor – Priceless
- 2. Cullinan Diamond – Worth an Estimated $400 Million
- 3. The Hope Diamond – $250–350 Million
- 4. De Beers Centenary Diamond – Roughly $100 Million
- 5. The Pink Star Diamond – $71.2 million
- 6. The Regent Diamond – Priced Over $60 Million
- 7. Williamson Pink Star – $57.7 Million
- 8. Oppenheimer Blue Diamond – $57.5 Million
- 9. De Beers Blue – $57.4 Million
- 10. The Graff Lesedi La Rona – $53 Million
1. Kohinoor – Priceless
The Kohinoor diamond is popularly known as the most well-known and controversial diamond ever found. The original size of the Kohinoor was 793 carats, but after being cut, it became 105.6 carats. Golconda mines in India were the source of the diamond.
Throughout several empires, rulers and centuries, it eventually became an official part of the British Crown Jewels. It is currently held by Queen Elizabeth. Due to ongoing debate over its rightful ownership, the Kohinoor has no official value. It has never been auctioned and is not available for sale.
Read More: Most Expensive Suits in the World
2. Cullinan Diamond – Worth an Estimated $400 Million
The Cullinan, which was found in South Africa in 1905 at a weight of 3,106 carats, is recognized as the biggest rough diamond ever. It was divided into several stones, and the biggest is called the 530.20-carat Cullinan I or "Great Star of Africa."
This diamond was placed into the sceptre of the British monarch. Many other pieces from the Cullinan are kept in royal collections. Based on its significance and past value, experts think it is worth about $400 million.
Read More: Top 10 Most Expensive Nike Shoes
3. The Hope Diamond – $250–350 Million
The Hope Diamond is 45.52 carats in weight and has a deep blue colour. The Golconda mines were the starting point, and it began being traded as early as the 1600s. After it belonged to the French royal family, it was stolen, sold and transferred many times from one owner to another.
As of today, the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., keeps The Star-Spangled Banner. The special colour shine and interesting story are what make this diamond one of the most prized in the world.
Read More: Top 10 Most Expensive Horses
4. De Beers Centenary Diamond – Roughly $100 Million
De Beers revealed this diamond in 1988 on the occasion of the company's hundredth anniversary. When it began, the rough stone weighed 599 carats and was made into a 273.85-carat diamond. The condition is described by experts as D, and there are no flaws inside or outside the stone.
Who owns it right now cannot be confirmed. Because of its clean look, huge size and ideal shape, experts guess the price of the diamond is more than $100 million.
Read More: Top 10 Most Expensive Bags
5. The Pink Star Diamond – $71.2 million
The Pink Star Diamond is the highest-priced diamond ever seen at an auction. This vivid pink diamond weighing 59.60 carats was extracted from Africa by De Beers. At first, the stone was 132.5 carats, and it took 2 years to finish cutting it.
In 2017, an Asian buyer at the Hong Kong Sotheby’s auction purchased it for $71.2 million, and it was renamed the CTF Pink Star. No other gem has ever sold for more money at auction.
Read More: Top 10 Most Expensive Books
6. The Regent Diamond – Priced Over $60 Million
The Regent Diamond was found in Kollur Mine in India, and it weighs 140.64 carats. French kings once wore it, and it was also used to decorate Napoleon Bonaparte’s sword. The diamond’s early story has a tragic side, and its path in royal courts was also complex.
At present, the painting is on view for visitors at the Louvre in Paris. Due to its sparkling white colour and grand cushion cut, it is one of the finest diamonds ever.
Read More: 15 Most Expensive Cars
7. Williamson Pink Star – $57.7 Million
This 11.15-carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond is one of the most valuable pink diamonds ever sold. It was carved out of a 32.32-carat rough diamond. In Sotheby’s auction of 2022, it became the new highest-priced precious stone per carat ever sold. Its value comes from being a rare, very clear and vibrant colour. Such high-quality pink diamonds are very rare to discover.
Read More: Top 10 Expensive Watches
8. Oppenheimer Blue Diamond – $57.5 Million
Sir Philip Oppenheimer’s name was given to this beautiful 14.62-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, which remains one of the biggest of its kind sold at auction. At Christie’s in Geneva in 2016, it sold for $57.5 million.
It is valued because of how clear and blue it looks. Since only a tiny portion of blue diamonds become this big, having the Oppenheimer name attached boosts its worth.
Read More: 10 Most Expensive Beer
9. De Beers Blue – $57.4 Million
Of all the blue diamonds graded by the GIA, this step-cut vivid blue is the biggest ever. The item was auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2022, and it sold for $57.4 million. Mined in the Cullinan mine, this diamond’s rare colour made it one of the most famous coloured diamonds ever to sell. At most, five blue diamonds weighing 10 carats or more have appeared at auction, so this sale matters a lot.
Read More: The Most Expensive Wines in the World
10. The Graff Lesedi La Rona – $53 Million
The huge 302.37-carat diamond came from a 1,109-carat rough stone found in Botswana. It is the biggest square emerald-cut diamond verified by GIA for its colour and clarity.
In 2017, Graff purchased the rough stone, and after cutting it, the main diamond is now valued at over $53 million. Its exceptional size, remarkable quality, and extreme rarity have earned it a place among the world’s most prestigious diamonds.
Read More: Most Expensive Thing In The World
Final Words
The value of the most expensive diamonds lies not only in their chemical makeup, but also in their rich history and symbolic meaning. All of them display aspects of natural development, skilled construction and historical background. These diamonds, from being worn as crowns to selling for very high prices, continue to be interesting for many. Their significance is not only about the price but also about what they represent: their history, scarcity and how they are viewed. Because people are buying increasingly better diamonds, these ten still represent the height of beauty and global standing.
Read Also:
