Top 12 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World 2023
by Surya | Updated Mar 09, 2023
Most Expensive Diamonds in the World 2023
Among the featured diamonds are the Pink Star, the Oppenheimer Blue, and the Graff Pink, all of which have been sold for tens of millions of dollars at auction. The article also discusses some of the unique features of these diamonds, such as their size, color, and clarity. In addition, the article delves into the history and provenance of these precious stones, providing insight into their rarity and the factors that contribute to their high value. Overall, the article serves as a fascinating look into the world of high-end diamonds and the remarkable gems that captivate collectors and enthusiasts around the globe. The Pink Star: This stunning diamond, which weighs in at 59.60 carats, is the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction, fetching a whopping $71.2 million in 2017. The Pink Star is known for its exceptional color and clarity and was mined in South Africa in 1999.
The Oppenheimer Blue: This rare blue diamond, named after its former owner, was sold at Christie's auction house in Geneva in 2016 for $50.6 million. Weighing in at 14.62 carats, Oppenheimer Blue is considered one of the largest and finest blue diamonds in the world. The Graff Pink: This stunning pink diamond, which weighs 24.78 carats, was sold by Sotheby's in 2010 for a staggering $46 million. The diamond is known for its intense pink hue and was owned by American jeweler Harry Winston before it was acquired by Laurence Graff, the founder of Graff Diamonds.
The Winston Blue: This rare blue diamond, weighing in at 13.22 carats, was sold by Harry Winston for $23.8 million in 2014. The diamond is known for its exceptional clarity and vibrant blue color, making it one of the most sought-after blue diamonds in the world. The Pink Promise: This stunning pink diamond, weighing in at 14.93 carats, was sold at auction by Christie's in 2017 for $32.5 million. The diamond is known for its exceptional color and clarity, as well as its unique heart shape.
These diamonds are not only prized for their beauty but also for their rarity, with many of them being one-of-a-kind gems that are highly sought after by collectors and investors alike. Their high prices reflect their exceptional quality and scarcity, as well as their status as coveted luxury items.
What Is The Most Expensive Diamond In The World 2023?
Koh-i-Noor (105.6 carat)
Priceless
The British Crown
The Cullinan (3,106 carat)
Over $2 billion
Queen Elizabeth II
The Hope (45.52 carat)
$350 million
Smithsonian Institute
De Beers Centenary (273.85 carat)
$90 million
Unknown
CTF Pink Star (59.6 carat)
$71.2 million
Chow Tai Fook
The Regent (140.64 carat)
$61.4 million
The French state
Oppenheimer Blue (14.62 carat)
$50.6 million
Unknown
Blue Moon of Josephine (12.03 carat)
$48.4 million
Joseph Lau
Graff Pink (24.78 carat)
$46 million
Laurence Graff
Expensive Diamonds
Price
Owner
Which Is The No 1 Diamond In The World?
The discovery of the Cullinan Diamond was a momentous occasion in the world of diamonds and gemstones. Prior to its discovery, the largest known diamond was the Excelsior Diamond, which weighed 995.20 carats. The Cullinan Diamond, weighing over three times as much, was an unprecedented find. The discovery of the diamond was made by Frederick Wells, the surface manager of the Premier Diamond Mining Company. Wells was on a routine inspection of the mine when he spotted a shiny object on the wall of the mine. Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was an enormous diamond.
The diamond was extracted from the mine and transported to the office of the mine owner, Thomas Cullinan, who was stunned by the size and beauty of the stone. The diamond was then sent to the Asscher Diamond Company in Amsterdam, where it was studied and cut into several smaller stones. The largest stone cut from the Cullinan Diamond is known as the Great Star of Africa, or Cullinan I. It is a pear-shaped diamond weighing 530.20 carats and is the largest clear cut diamond in the world. It is set in the head of the Sceptre with the Cross, part of the Crown Jewels
What Are The 10 Most Valuable Diamonds Of All Time?
1. The Heart of Eternity — $16 Million
The Heart of Eternity is a fancy vivid blue diamond cut from a 777ct rough diamond mined at the South African Premier Diamond Mine. It is considered one of the rarest diamonds in the world as only 1% of fancy-coloured diamonds are blue, and it has no undertones of grey or black. The diamond was initially owned by the Steinmetz Group but was later acquired by De Beers in 2000. It was rumored that Floyd Mayweather bought the diamond for his then-fiancée, Shantel Jackson, in 2012, but this has not been confirmed.
2. The Rock- $21.9 million
The Rock is a white diamond with a weight of 228.31 carats, making it the largest white diamond ever discovered. The diamond was found in South Africa over 20 years ago and has had three different owners since then. It was sold for USD 21.9 million at an auction held by Christie's Geneva in May 2022.
3. The Steinmetz Pink Diamond – $71.2 millions
The Steinmetz Pink Diamond, also known as the Pink Star, weighs 59.60 carats and has a Geological Institute of America colour rating of Fancy Vivid Pink, making it the biggest diamond with this rating currently known. It was discovered in the De Beers mines in 1999 and took 20 months to cut due to its rarity. Chow Tai Fook Enterprises in Hong Kong bought it for USD 71.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in April 2017.
4. Princie-$ 39.3 million
The Princie is a 34.65-carat pink diamond that was auctioned off in New York in 2013 for US$39.3 million. It was mined in the Golconda region in India around 300 years ago and has had several owners, including the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Prince of Baroda.
5. Graff Lesedi La Rona diamond-$53 million
The Graff Lesedi La Rona diamond is the largest square emerald cut diamond in the world and was found in November 2015 at the Karowe Mine of Lucara Diamond, a Canadian company based in Botswana. It was sold to Graff, a British multinational jeweler, in 2017 after being carefully crafted over 18 months. The diamond now weighs about 302.37 carats, and the original rough diamond yielded an additional 66 tiny diamonds.
6. The Blue Diamond of Oppenheimer-$ 57.5 million
The Blue Diamond of Oppenheimer, purchased in May 2016, was the highest-priced jewel ever sold at auction at the time. It was the largest modern-cut diamond known when it was announced in 1991. The diamond was insured for $100 million before being put on display but has never undergone appraisal, and its current owner is unknown.
7. Diamond De Beers Centenary- $ 100 million
The De Beers Centenary Diamond weighs 273.85 carats, making it the third-largest diamond ever found in South Africa's Premier Mine. It was discovered in 1986 but kept a secret until De Beers' 100th-anniversary celebration in Kimberley. The diamond was then shrunk to produce a stone that was 273.85 carats in size and had 247 perfectly matched facets. Its internal and external flawlessness, as well as its D colour rating for colorless diamonds, were confirmed by the GIA.
8. The Hope Diamond – $350 Millions
The Hope Diamond, a 45.52-carat diamond found in the Andhra Pradesh region of India in the 1600s, has a blue color due to the presence of boron atoms and a legend of carrying a curse. It was bought by the Hope banking family in London in the 1830s and has had 22 owners since then, including the Smithsonian Museum, where it is currently on display. Its estimated value is USD 350 million.
9. The Cullinan Diamond – $400 Millions
The Cullinan Diamond, valued at $400 million, is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered. It was found in the Premier No. 2 mine in Cullinan, South Africa, weighing 3,106.75 carats (621.35 g) before being split into nine diamonds. Today, all nine diamonds are part of the British Crown Jewels. Cullinan I, also known as the Great Star of Africa, held the title of the world's largest diamond at 530.2 carats until 1985 when the 545.67-carat Golden Jubilee from the same mine was discovered. However, the largest clear-cut diamond is still Cullinan I, which is now part of the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross.
Cullinan II, also known as the Second Star of Africa, is a 66-faceted diamond set in the front of the Imperial State Crown below the Kohinoor and the Black Prince’s Ruby. Cullinans V, VI, and VIII are all components of brooches, as are Cullinans III and IV, collectively known as the Lesser Star of Africa. Cullinan IX is set in the platinum Cullinan IX Ring, while Cullinan VII is a pendant on the Delhi Durbar necklace.
10. Mountain of Light Diamond (Koh-I-Noor): Priceless
The Koh-I-Noor, also known as The Mountain of Light, is considered priceless and is rumored to be the most expensive diamond in the world. It weighs 105.6 carats and is now part of the British Crown Jewels. The gemstone is colorless and is the center stone of the Queen Mother's crown, attracting millions of visitors each year to the Tower of London. Due to the belief that the Kohinoor diamond is cursed, only women have been allowed to wear it since 1849, after many of its male owners lost their power or lives.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond is thought to have originated in India and was once part of the Mughal Peacock Throne. After the British annexed the Punjab, it was controversially transferred to Queen Victoria. At Prince Albert's request, the gem was recut into an oval brilliant by Coster Diamonds. While the Koh-i-Noor diamond is priceless, the entire set of crown jewels is estimated to be worth over $1 billion, making it the most expensive diamond in the world.
Most Expensive Diamonds in the World 2023 - FAQs
The 4Cs of diamonds are carat weight, color, clarity, and cut. These are the characteristics used to evaluate the quality and value of a diamond. Carat weight refers to the weight of the diamond, color refers to the presence or absence of color, clarity refers to the absence of internal or external blemishes, and cut refers to the quality of the diamond's proportions, symmetry, and polish. These factors are important in determining the diamond's rarity and price.
Diamond fluorescence refers to the diamond's tendency to emit a soft-colored glow under ultraviolet light. While fluorescence does not directly affect the quality or durability of a diamond, it can affect the diamond's appearance in certain lighting conditions. Strong fluorescence can sometimes cause a diamond to appear hazy or milky, which can reduce its value.
A natural diamond is formed over millions of years through natural geological processes, while a lab-created diamond is grown in a laboratory setting using advanced technological processes. While natural diamonds are typically more valuable due to their rarity and history, lab-created diamonds offer several advantages, such as being more affordable, environmentally sustainable, and ethically sourced.
Despite being one of the hardest materials on Earth, diamonds can still scratch or break if they are hit hard enough in certain ways. While diamonds can withstand most normal wear and tear, they are not indestructible and can be damaged if not treated with care.
The most expensive diamond in the world is currently the Pink Star diamond, which sold for a record-breaking $71.2 million at auction in 2017. This rare and flawless 59.60-carat pink diamond was mined in South Africa and took two years to cut and polish. However, the value of diamonds can vary greatly depending on several factors, including size, quality, and historical significance.