Top 10 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World Today
Key Takeaways
- Are you curious about the current value of the world's most expensive diamond? Not only astonishing with prices in the hundreds of millions of dollars, these rare diamonds also represent power, class,...
Are you curious about the current value of the world's most expensive diamond? Not only astonishing with prices in the hundreds of millions of dollars, these rare diamonds also represent power, class, and timeless value. Let Jemmia explore the Top 10 most expensive diamonds in the world that captivate jewelry connoisseurs globally through the article below!
Top 1: The world's most expensive diamond Koh-i-noor: £10 – 13 billion
Information of the Koh-i-noor diamond:
- Weight: 105.6 carats (21.12 g).
- Color: D White.
- Current Owner: British Crown Jewels at the British Royal Family.
Koh I Noor is currently the world's most expensive diamond with a record-breaking size. It weighed up to 793 carats before being cut and polished. However, its weight is now only 105.6 carats (equivalent to about 21.6g).
Koh I Noor was found in the Golconda mine in the Andhra Pradesh region of India in 1306. The diamond has belonged to many dynasties as a trophy after battles.
It wasn't until 1849, according to the Treaty of Lahore, that it was acquired by the British Royal Family. The Koh I Noor diamond is set in the British Queen's crown and displayed at the Tower of London.
The Koh I Noor diamond is set in the British Queen's crown
Top 2: Cullinan Diamond: 2 billion USD
Information of the Cullinan diamond:
- Weight: 3,106.75 carats (621.350 g).
- Color: Nearly colorless.
- Current Owners: Royal collection (I and II) and Charles III (III–IX).
The Cullinan diamond was mined in 1905. It is the largest rough diamond ever found. It was gifted to King Edward VII of Britain in 1907. Cullinan was cut into 9 large diamonds and 96 smaller diamonds by Dutch jewelers Joseph Asscher.
The largest diamond, Cullinan I, weighs 530.2 carats and is set in Queen Mary's crown. The Cullinan II diamond, weighing 317.9 carats, is set in Queen Elizabeth II's Imperial State Crown. Other Cullinan diamonds are used to adorn many pieces of British royal jewelry.
Cullinan diamonds are used to adorn many pieces of British royal jewelry
Top 3: The Hope Diamond: 350 million USD
Information of the The Hope diamond:
- Weight: 45.52 carats (9.104 g).
- Color: Mysterious dark grayish-blue (GIA).
- Current Owner: Smithsonian Institution.
Included in the list of the world's most expensive diamonds, The Hope is famous for its enchanting beauty and many mysteries. The Hope is not owned by any individual. Currently, this diamond is preserved at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. (USA).
However, there are many rumors about the Hope being a cursed diamond. Anyone who owned it encountered misfortune. This is because some previous owners of The Hope diamond were murdered, some committed suicide, and some were imprisoned.
The Hope diamond is preserved at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C.
Top 4: Centenary Diamond: 100 million USD
Information of the Centenary Diamond:
- Weight: 273.85 carats (54.770 g).
- Color: Flawless D White.
- Current Owner: Undetermined.
The Centenary diamond was mined at the Premier mine in South Africa in 1986. It was named to commemorate the 100th anniversary of De Beers, the world's largest diamond mining company.
Centenary was cut and polished for 3 years by De Beers' master jewelers. In 2010, the Centenary diamond was sold to a private collector in a secret auction, so its owner remains undetermined to this day.
The Centenary Diamond has a flawless white color
Top 5: Pink Star Diamond: 71.2 million USD
Information of the Pink Star diamond:
- Weight: 59.6 carats (after cutting).
- Color: Fancy Vivid Pink
- Current Owner: Undetermined.
The Pink Star diamond was mined at the De Beers mine in South Africa in 1999. This diamond was cut and polished for 2 years by De Beers' master jewelers.
In 2013, the Pink Star was sold to a private collector in Hong Kong for $71.2 million. At that time, it became the most expensive cut diamond ever sold.
The Pink Star diamond possesses a vivid pink color
Top 6: The Regent Diamond: 61 million USD
Information of The Regent diamond:
- Weight: 140.64 carats (28.128 g).
- Color: White.
- Current Owner: On display at the Louvre Museum (France).
The Regent diamond, discovered in 1698. It is one of the purest white diamonds. According to legend, the Regent diamond was found by a slave at the Kollur mine and later stolen by an English captain.
This diamond has belonged to many famous figures, including dukes, queens, and kings, before it was transferred to the Louvre Museum in Paris in 1887.
The Regent is one of the purest white diamonds
Top 7: Oppenheimer Blue Diamond: 50.6 million USD
Information of the Oppenheimer Blue diamond:
- Weight: 14.62 carats (2.924 g).
- Color: Fancy Vivid Blue.
- Current Owner: Undetermined.
It is estimated that only 1% of all blue diamonds graded by GIA reach the "Fancy Vivid Blue" color grade. The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond is the most outstanding among them.
The impressive carat size and the vibrant blue hue of the Oppenheimer Blue stone have caused its value to skyrocket. Originally owned by Sir Philip Oppenheimer, the diamond was put up for auction in 2016.
The Oppenheimer Blue diamond possesses a vivid blue color
Top 8: Lesedi La Rona Diamond: 53 million USD
Information of Lesedi La Rona diamond:
- Weight: 1,111 carats (222.2 g).
- Color: White.
- Current Owner: Graff.
The Lesedi La Rona diamond was discovered on November 16, 2015, at the Karowe mine in Botswana by Lucara Diamond Corp. The name Lesedi La Rona means "Our Light" in the Tswana language (the official language of Botswana).
Lesedi La Rona was put up for auction at Sotheby's in London in June 2016 but did not sell as it did not reach the minimum bid. Later, in September 2017, diamond company Graff acquired the diamond for $53 million.
The Lesedi La Rona diamond means “Our Light” in the Tswana language
Top 9: The Winston Pink Legacy Diamond: 50.4 million USD
Information of the The Winston Pink Legacy diamond:
- Weight: 18.96 carats (3.792 g).
- Color: Fancy Vivid Pink.
- Current Owner: Harry Winston.
The Pink Legacy diamond is one of the most expensive pink diamonds in the world. In November 2018, the Pink Legacy was sold by Christie's auction house in Geneva.
The diamond was acquired by the fashion brand Harry Winston for $50.4 million, setting a record price for a pink diamond on a per-carat basis. After the acquisition, Harry Winston renamed the diamond "The Winston Pink Legacy."
The Pink Legacy diamond is one of the most prominent pink diamonds in the world
Top 10: Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond: 48.4 million USD
Information of the Blue Moon of Josephine diamond:
- Weight: 12.03 carats (2.406 g).
- Color: Fancy Vivid Blue.
- Current Owner: Joseph Lau.
The Blue Moon of Josephine diamond is one of the most famous blue diamonds in the world. Blue Moon of Josephine is classified as "Fancy Vivid Blue." This is the highest color grade for blue diamonds, representing the most vivid and brilliant blue hue.
Joseph Lau purchased this diamond at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva in November 2015 for $48.4 million. Later, Lau renamed the diamond "Blue Moon of Josephine" as a gift to his daughter.
The Blue Moon of Josephine diamond is valued at up to 48.4 million USD
The world's most expensive diamonds not only possess rare beauty but also carry timeless historical, artistic, and class value. Each gemstone is a symbol of luxury and power that collectors worldwide aspire to own. Hopefully, through the above article, Jemmia has provided you with more interesting insights into the world of diamonds and a better understanding of why they are always considered the "queen" of gemstones.
While it's difficult to own these legendary diamonds, you can still experience their beauty through designs of women's diamond rings crafted from natural diamonds selected according to international standards.
Reference: The exquisite beauty of Jemmia diamond jewelry.
