Top 10 Most Expensive Gemstones in the World, Timeless Value
Key Takeaways
- The most expensive gemstones in the world not only possess perfect beauty but also carry legendary history and immense value. So, how valuable is the most expensive gemstone in the world? Let's...
The most expensive gemstones in the world not only possess perfect beauty but also carry legendary history and immense value. So, how valuable is the most expensive gemstone in the world? Let's join Jemmia to explore the top 10 most valuable gemstones in the world through the article below.
Top 1: Koh-i-Noor Diamond: Priceless
Value: Priceless (currently held by the British Royal Family)
Weight: 105.6 carats
History: A symbol of power, it belonged to many Indian royal dynasties before becoming part of the British Crown Jewels.
The Koh-i-Noor Diamond carries mysteries and legends spanning centuries. Once believed to bring prosperity to male owners but misfortune if owned by a man, this gemstone changed hands many times before being acquired by Queen Victoria in 1849. Currently, the Koh-i-Noor is set in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and is displayed at the Tower of London.
Top 2: Hope Diamond: 250 - 350 million USD
Value: Estimated at 250 - 350 million USD
Weight: 45.52 carats
History: Famous for its curse, it once belonged to the French monarchy before becoming one of the most mysterious diamonds in the world.
The Hope Diamond impresses not only with its rare blue color but also with the mystical stories surrounding it. Believed to bring misfortune to its owners, this stone once belonged to King Louis XIV before disappearing during the French Revolution. After changing hands several times, it was donated to the Smithsonian Institution by jeweler Harry Winston, where the diamond is now displayed, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Top 3: De Beers Millennium Star Diamond: Over 100 million USD
Value: Undetermined but over 100 million USD
Weight: 203.04 carats
Characteristics: Flawless, perfect clarity, rated D - the highest color grade on the diamond scale.
The De Beers Millennium Star diamond is one of the most perfect diamonds ever found. Originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo, this stone took over three years to be cut into a magnificent teardrop shape. As the largest diamond in De Beers' Millennium collection, it was the target of a daring theft at the Millennium Dome in London in 2000 but was fortunately protected. Today, the Millennium Star remains one of the most valuable diamonds in the world.
See more: De Beers Diamond Empire With Top Marketing Strategies
Top 4: Pink Star Diamond: 71.2 million USD
Value: Sold for 71.2 million USD
Weight: 59.60 carats
Characteristics: Rare vivid pink color, graded Fancy Vivid Pink - the highest grade for pink diamonds.
The Pink Star diamond is the largest pink diamond ever certified by the GIA. Mined by De Beers in Africa, the rough stone originally weighed 132.5 carats and took over two years to be cut into a perfect oval. In 2017, the Pink Star set a record when it was auctioned at Sotheby's Hong Kong for $71.2 million, becoming the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction. Its radiant beauty and rarity make the Pink Star a symbol of luxury and status.
Top 5: Oppenheimer Blue Diamond: 57.5 million USD
Value: Sold for 57.5 million USD
Weight: 14.62 carats
Characteristics: Vivid blue color (Fancy Vivid Blue), the largest blue diamond ever auctioned.
The Oppenheimer Blue diamond is named after Sir Philip Oppenheimer, who once owned this gemstone and was an important member of the Oppenheimer family – who controlled De Beers for decades. With its perfect blue color and impressive clarity, the diamond set a record when it was auctioned at Christie’s Geneva in 2016 for $57.5 million. Rated by experts as one of the most beautiful blue diamonds ever found, the Oppenheimer Blue is a symbol of refinement and class.
Top 6: Sunrise Ruby Myanmar: 30 million USD
Value: Sold for 30.3 million USD
Weight: 25.59 carats
Characteristics: Rare "Pigeon Blood" red color, originating from Myanmar - the source of the world's most beautiful rubies.
The Sunrise Ruby Myanmar is the most expensive ruby ever sold at auction, setting a record at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2015 for $30.3 million. This gemstone made a strong impression with its radiant red hue, perfect clarity, and lack of treatment, which is very rare for large rubies. Originating from the legendary Mogok mines of Myanmar – considered the source of the world's highest quality rubies – the Sunrise Ruby has become a symbol of regal beauty and eternal value.
Top 7: Jadeite Necklace (Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace): 27 million USD
Value: Sold for 27.44 million USD
Weight: Composed of 27 jadeite beads, each measuring between 15 and 19 mm in diameter
Characteristics: Crafted from Type A jadeite (Imperial Jadeite), with a brilliant green color and high transparency, originating from Myanmar.
The Jadeite Necklace, particularly the Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace, is one of the most expensive and rarest pieces of jewelry in the world. This necklace once belonged to Barbara Hutton – heiress of the Woolworth family, before becoming a treasure among gemstone collectors. With its perfect green color and absolute purity, this necklace embodies the class of imperial jadeite. In 2014, it set a record when sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong for $27.44 million, affirming the status of Myanmar jadeite in the world of gemstones.
Top 8: Red Diamond (Moussaieff Red Diamond): 20 million USD
Value: Can reach millions of USD per carat
Weight: Usually very small, the largest known is 5.11 carats (Moussaieff Red Diamond)
Characteristics: Extremely rare natural red color, only a few stones have been recorded worldwide.
Red diamonds are the rarest and most mysterious of all colored diamonds. Only a handful of natural red diamonds have been discovered, primarily from the Argyle mine in Australia – famous for its rare colored diamonds. Among them, the Moussaieff Red Diamond (5.11 carats) is the largest recorded red diamond. Due to their extreme rarity, red diamonds are extremely expensive, often exceeding $1 million per carat. These gemstones are not only symbols of luxury but also the coveted desire of collectors worldwide.
Top 9: Blue Belle of Asia Sapphire: 17 million USD
Value: Sold for 17.3 million USD
Weight: 392.52 carats
Characteristics: Vivid blue color, originating from Sri Lanka – the world's leading supplier of high-quality sapphires.
The Blue Belle of Asia sapphire is one of the largest and most valuable blue sapphires ever auctioned. Mined in Sri Lanka in 1926, this stone impresses with its deep blue hue and excellent clarity. In 2014, the Blue Belle of Asia set a record when it was sold at Christie’s Geneva for $17.3 million, becoming the world's most expensive sapphire at that time. The rarity and mystical beauty of this stone make it a treasure among gemstone collectors.
Top 10: Rockefeller Emerald: 5.5 million USD
Value: Sold for 5.5 million USD
Weight: 18.04 carats
Characteristics: Vivid deep green color, high clarity, originating from Colombia – the source of the world's most beautiful emeralds.
The Rockefeller Emerald once belonged to John D. Rockefeller Jr., who purchased the stone in the 1930s and commissioned renowned jeweler Raymond Yard to craft it into a luxurious ring. This emerald is distinguished by its pure green color with no significant inclusions, which is very rare in natural emeralds.
In 2017, the stone was auctioned at Christie’s New York for $5.5 million, equivalent to approximately $305,000 per carat – a record for emerald. With its distinguished provenance and excellent quality, the Rockefeller Emerald is a timeless symbol of sophistication and class.
Factors Affecting the Value of Gemstones
The value of a gemstone depends not only on its beauty but also on several important factors below:
Rarity: Unique colors and scarcity directly affect the value of the stone.
Size & Carat Weight: The larger the stone and the higher the carat weight, the more expensive it is.
Origin: Originating from renowned mines such as Myanmar (rubies, jadeite), South Africa (diamonds), or Colombia (emeralds) will significantly increase its value.
History & Ownership: Stones that once belonged to royalty or famous families will have exceptionally high value due to their historical stories and the mystique surrounding them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive gemstone in the world?
Currently, the Koh-i-Noor Diamond is considered the most valuable gemstone.
Can gemstones increase in value over time?
Yes, rare and historical gemstones will increase in value over time.
How to determine if a gemstone is genuine?
It is necessary to check with certificates from GIA, IGI, or other reputable organizations.
Is it worth investing in gemstones?
Investing in gemstones is an attractive option, but it requires knowledge and choosing a reputable entity.
Above are the 10 most expensive gemstones in the world today. We hope the information provided by Jemmia will give you more knowledge about gemstones. Follow Jemmia for more interesting and useful knowledge about diamonds, gold, and gemstones.
