The world of rare and valuable jewels is one of fascination and allure. From diamonds to rubies to sapphires, the world’s wealthiest individuals have long sought out these precious stones as symbols of wealth and status. Here are the 10 most expensive jewels ever sold:
10. The Beau Sancy $9.7 million
The Beau Sancy is a 34.98-carat pear-shaped diamond with a fascinating history that dates back to the 16th century. It was named after its first known owner, Nicolas de Harlay, Seigneur de Sancy, who was a French soldier and diplomat.
It has been owned by several notable figures throughout history, including Queen Marie de Medici of France and William of Orange, who wore the diamond on his helmet during the Battle of Gembloux in 1578.
This diamond was sold at auction by Sotheby’s in 2012 for a staggering $9.7 million to an anonymous buyer. The diamond is mounted in a pendant and can be worn as a brooch.
The Beau Sancy is known for its unique shape and color, which is a pale yellowish-white. It is also famous for its impressive clarity, which is rare for a diamond of its size and age. The diamond is considered a symbol of power, wealth, and history, and its story continues to captivate diamond enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
9. The Moussaieff Red $20 million
The Moussaieff Red is the largest known red diamond in the world, weighing in at 5.11 carats. It is also one of only a handful of red diamonds known to exist, making it an incredibly rare and valuable gemstone.
The diamond was discovered in the 1990s by a Brazilian farmer who sold it to a dealer, who then sold it to the Moussaieff family. The diamond was originally a triangular-shaped rough diamond that was cut into a trilliant shape to enhance its natural color and brilliance.
The Moussaieff Red has been described as having a deep and intense red color, with a slight purplish hue. This color is caused by the presence of trace amounts of nitrogen within the diamond’s crystal structure.
The diamond is currently owned by the Moussaieff jewelry family and has been exhibited at several international museums and galleries, including the Natural History Museum in London. The Moussaieff Red is considered one of the most important and valuable diamonds in the world, with an estimated value of around $20 million.
8. The Perfect Pink $23.2 million
The Perfect Pink is a rare and stunning pink diamond that weighs 14.23 carats, making it one of the largest pink diamonds in the world.
The diamond was discovered in South Africa in the mid-20th century and was later cut and polished by the famed diamond cutters, the Steinmetz Group.It was classified as a Fancy Intense Pink diamond, which is a very high grade for a pink diamond. It also has an internally flawless clarity rating, making it a highly valuable gemstone.
The Perfect Pink was sold at auction by Christie’s in 2010 for a record-breaking $23.2 million, making it one of the most expensive diamonds ever sold at auction at the time. The diamond was purchased by an anonymous buyer, and its current whereabouts are unknown.
7. The Winston Blue $23.8 million
The Winston Blue is a stunning blue diamond that weighs 13.22 carats and is classified as a Type IIb diamond, which is a rare and highly coveted diamond type. It was named after Harry Winston, the famous jewelry designer and collector who acquired the diamond in 2014.
It was found in the Cullinan Mine in South Africa, which is known for producing some of the world’s most valuable diamonds. The rough diamond from which The Winston Blue was cut weighed 30.6 carats, and it took nearly a year to cut and polish the diamond into its current shape.
In 2014 it was sold at auction by Christie’s in Geneva for a staggering $23.8 million, making it one of the most expensive diamonds ever sold at auction. The buyer of the diamond remains anonymous.
It has been graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as Internally Flawless, which is the highest clarity grade a diamond can receive. This means that the diamond has no internal blemishes or inclusions and is exceptionally pure.
The Winston Blue is considered one of the most important blue diamonds in the world and is a symbol of luxury, rarity, and beauty. Its exquisite color, exceptional clarity, and rich history make it a treasured jewel in the world of diamonds and a prized possession of its anonymous owner.
6. The Zoe Diamond $32.6 million
The Zoe Diamond is a rare and unique diamond that weighs 9.75 carats and has a fancy vivid blue color, which is one of the rarest and most valuable colors for diamonds.
The diamond was named after its previous owner, Mrs. Zoe Diamond, who purchased it in 1958 from a jeweler in New York City. It was later sold at auction in 2014 for $32.6 million, making it one of the most expensive blue diamonds ever sold.
The Zoe Diamond is believed to have originated from the famous Golconda mines in India, which are known for producing some of the world’s most famous and valuable diamonds, including the Hope Diamond.
The diamond has a long and fascinating history, having been owned by several prominent collectors and jewelers over the years. It has also been displayed at several international exhibitions and events, including the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
5. The Princie Diamond $39.3 million
The Princie Diamond is a fancy intense pink diamond weighing 34.65 carats. It is one of the largest pink diamonds ever discovered. The diamond is believed to have been mined in the famous Golconda mines of India, which are known for producing some of the world’s most valuable diamonds.
The Princie Diamond was named after a young prince of India, who was known for his love of diamonds and fine jewelry. It is said that the diamond was originally owned by the royal family of Hyderabad in India.
In 1960, the diamond was sold at auction by the royal family of Hyderabad and purchased by a dealer in London. It then changed hands several times before being purchased by the current owner, who remains anonymous, at a Christie’s auction in 2013 for over $39 million.
The Princie Diamond is considered one of the world’s most valuable diamonds and is renowned for its intense pink color and exceptional clarity. It is also famous for its unique history and association with Indian royalty.
4. The Graff Pink $46 million
The Graff Pink is a pink diamond of extraordinary beauty and rarity, weighing 24.78 carats. It was named after its current owner, billionaire jeweler Laurence Graff, who acquired it in 2010 at Sotheby’s auction in Geneva for a record-breaking $46 million.
This diamond is a Type IIa, which is one of the purest diamond types and is therefore incredibly valuable. It has been classified as a Fancy Intense Pink, which is a high grade for a pink diamond.
The Graff Pink has a fascinating history of changing hands among several private collectors and royals. It is believed to have been found in South Africa in the mid-20th century.
The diamond was originally owned by American jeweler Harry Winston, who sold it to a private collector in the United States in 1958. It later changed ownership several times before being acquired by Laurence Graff.
The Graff Pink has a unique cut that enhances its stunning color and brilliance. It is set in a platinum ring and surrounded by smaller white diamonds.
The diamond has been exhibited in several international museums and galleries, including the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C.
The Graff Pink is one of the most expensive diamonds ever sold, and its sale made headlines around the world. Its exceptional beauty and rarity continue to fascinate diamond enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
The Graff Pink is an emblem of luxury, sophistication, and charm, and its story is a tribute to the everlasting appeal and value of diamonds. Its remarkable color, unparalleled cut, and remarkable clarity make it one of the most extraordinary diamonds ever discovered.
3. The Blue Moon of Josephine $48.5 million
The Blue Moon of Josephine is a rare and exquisite blue diamond weighing 12.03 carats. It was named after Joseph Lau, the previous owner who purchased it in 2015. This diamond is classified as a Type IIb diamond, which is a very rare type that contains boron, giving it its stunning blue hue.
Mined in South Africa, it was cut and polished by Cora International. In 2015, it was sold at Sotheby’s auction in Geneva for a staggering $48.5 million, setting a new record for the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction.
Graded as Internally Flawless by the GIA, this diamond has no internal blemishes or inclusions. Originally a larger rough diamond weighing 29.6 carats, it took nearly six months to cut and shape it.
The Blue Moon of Josephine is now mounted in a ring by Boehmer et Bassenge, which features pink diamonds surrounding the blue diamond. Currently owned by an anonymous private collector, it is considered one of the world’s most valuable and unique diamonds, representing beauty, rarity, and luxury. Its exceptional blue color and impeccable clarity continue to inspire people for generations.
2. The Oppenheimer Blue $57.5 million
The Oppenheimer Blue is a stunning blue diamond that weighs 14.62 carats. It is the largest Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever to be offered at auction. It was named after its previous owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer, who was a member of the famous Oppenheimer diamond family.
The Oppenheimer Blue was discovered in South Africa and was cut and polished by renowned diamond cutter, Gabi Tolkowsky and was later sold at auction by Christie’s in Geneva in 2016 for a staggering $57.5 million, making it the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction at the time.
The Oppenheimer Blue is classified as a Type IIb diamond, which means it is extremely rare and contains trace amounts of boron, which gives it its blue color. It was graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as Internally Flawless, which means it has no internal blemishes or inclusions.
An anonymous collector purchased the diamond and it is still not known who owns it, and it is now considered one of the most valuable and sought-after diamonds in the world.
The Oppenheimer Blue has a rich history and has been owned by some of the most powerful and wealthy individuals in the world, including the Oppenheimer family, who are known for their diamond mining and trading business.
The Oppenheimer Blue is a true work of art and a symbol of luxury, rarity, and beauty. Its breathtaking color and flawless clarity make it one of the most remarkable diamonds in the world, and its story will continue to inspire and captivate people for generations to come.
1. The Pink Star $71.2 million
The Pink Star is a stunning pink diamond that weighs 59.60 carats. It was cut from a rough diamond that weighed 132.5 carats. It was mined in South Africa in 1999 by De Beers and was initially known as the Steinmetz Pink. It took nearly two years to cut and polish the diamond into its current shape.
It was first sold at auction by Sotheby’s in 2013 for a record-breaking $83 million, but the sale was later canceled when the buyer defaulted on payment. Later it was re-auctioned in 2017 and sold for $71.2 million to Hong Kong-based jewelry retailer Chow Tai Fook. This makes it the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction.
The Pink Star is a Type IIa diamond, which means it is of the highest clarity and quality. It is also classified as a Fancy Vivid Pink diamond, which is the highest color grading for pink diamonds. The Pink Star was graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as Internally Flawless, meaning it has no internal blemishes or inclusions.
The diamond is said to have been owned by some of the world’s wealthiest individuals, including Laurence Graff and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The Pink Star has been exhibited in several museums around the world, including the Natural History Museum in London and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
The Pink Star is a true masterpiece of nature and a symbol of luxury, beauty, and wealth. It is one of the most famous and valuable diamonds in the world, and its story will continue to fascinate and inspire people for generations to come.