For many years, Diamonds have been connected with power, wealth, and beauty. Very few of the rare diamonds have passed through kings, queens, and affluent collectors. Their size, color, clarity, and the stories they convey are what give them their high value. This is why diamonds have played a huge role in world history. This comprehensive blog gives you a glimpse of the most expensive diamonds in the world, their discovery story, and the reasons they are regarded as invaluable gems. Every diamond on this list stands out in the world of gems because of its amazing qualities and distinct history.
Let’s find out what makes these well-known diamonds so unique and why they are still the most valuable in history. Let’s dive straight into the blog.
- 1. Kohinoor: Priceless (Most Valuable Diamond in the World)
- 2. The Cullinan Diamond: $400 million
- 3. The Hope Diamond: $350 million
- 4. De Beers Centenary: $100 million+
- 5. The Pink Star Diamond: $71.5 million
- 6. The Regent Diamond: $60 million+
- 7. Williamson Pink Star: $57.7 million
- 8. The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond: $57.5 million
- 9. De Beers Blue: $57.4 million
- 10. The Graff Lesedi La Rona: $53 million+
List of The Most Expensive Diamonds in the World
| S.No | Name | Carat Weight | Price / Estimated Value |
| 1. | Kohinoor Diamond | Originally 793 carats, now 105.6 carats | Priceless (Estimated USD 200–400 million) |
| 2. | Cullinan Diamond | 3,106 carats (rough), cut into 105 stones | ~USD 400 million |
| 3. | Hope Diamond | 45.52 carats | ~USD 350 million |
| 4. | De Beers Centenary Diamond | 273.85 carats | USD 100+ million |
| 5. | Pink Star Diamond | 59.60 carats | USD 71.5 million |
| 6. | Regent Diamond | 141 carats | USD 60+ million |
| 7. | Williamson Pink Star | 11.15 carats | USD 57.7 million |
| 8. | Oppenheimer Blue | 14.62 carats | USD 57.5 million |
| 9. | De Beers Blue | 15.10 carats | USD 57.4 million |
| 10. | Graff Lesedi La Rona | 302.37 carats (cut from 1,109-carat rough) | USD 53+ million |
As mentioned, Diamonds have played a huge role in recent generations. Some of the rarest diamonds still hold significant value. Each expensive diamond in the world has its own story and history. Here is a complete breakdown of these diamonds in detail:
1. Kohinoor: Priceless (Most Valuable Diamond in the World)
One of the most famous diamonds in the world, the Kohinoor, was first extracted from the Golconda region of India. To make it even more brilliant and enhanced, the 793-carat weight was reduced to 105.6 carats. Before joining the British Crown Jewels, it was owned by a number of Afghan, Persian, and Indian kings. This is one of the main reasons why it holds immense value and recognition even now. Therefore, it is now regarded as priceless due to its remarkable history, beauty, and cultural significance.
2. The Cullinan Diamond: $400 million
Another most expensive diamond in the world is the Cullinan Diamond. This diamond is rare because it is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found. This diamond originated from South Africa in the year 1905. It was cut into 105 polished stones after weighing 3,106 carats at first. The British Crown Jewels include the two biggest gems, Cullinan I and Cullinan II. This diamond is valued at approximately $400 million due to its remarkable clarity, size, and royal use.
3. The Hope Diamond: $350 million
The Hope Diamond is famous because of the deep blue color it has, the very color that is a big part of its quality. Also, this diamond has a long and fabulous history. It was mined in India, and later, the diamond King Louis XIV acquired it for France. The diamond was then looted during the French Revolution, and it finally ended up at the Smithsonian Museum after it had been through London. The diamond’s rare color, its long history, and its unique 45.52-carat size together determine its value of around $350 million. Therefore, such factors make it one of the most expensive diamonds in the world.
4. De Beers Centenary: $100 million+
The De Beers Centenary Diamond was the result of mining in South Africa in 1986, and at the start, its weight was a whopping 599 carats. It went through a slow, patient process of being cut for a flawless heart with the weight of 273.85 carats. This diamond has attained a top-notch grade in clarity and color as perhaps being the clearest of all diamonds ever. Its uniqueness, outstanding craftsmanship, and size contribute to an over $100 million price in dollar terms, but the present possessor of this diamond is still a mystery.
5. The Pink Star Diamond: $71.5 million
The Pink Star Diamond, one of the most expensive diamonds in the world, is a 59.60-carat beautiful pink diamond, which is the biggest among the vivid pinks ever to be certified. At first, it belonged to De Beers, who took two long years to cut and polish. Pink diamonds of this size and color are very rare. Therefore, the diamond was sold for $71.5 million in Hong Kong, which made it the most expensive diamond ever auctioned at that time.
6. The Regent Diamond: $60 million+
The Regent Diamond was mined in India in the 1700s, and its approximate weight was almost 141 carats. It was fitted in the French crown jewels and was worn by Louis XV, Louis XVI, and even Napoleon, among others. It was and still is famous for its incredible shine and precise symmetry. This specific diamond has suffered theft and war, but has not lost its beauty. Now the diamond is situated in the Louvre Museum and artistically appraised at more than $60 million, making it a contender in the list of the most expensive diamond in the world.
7. Williamson Pink Star: $57.7 million
The Williamson Pink Star is an 11.15-carat vivid pink diamond, which is considered one of the rarest diamonds because less than 1% of all diamonds are pink. This stone was cut from a 32-carat rough stone by the best cutters. In 2022, it was sold for $57.7 million, and this price per carat was the new world record. The diamond’s bright color and flawless transparency contribute to its extremely high price.
8. The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond: $57.5 million
The Oppenheimer Blue is a diamond that weighs 14.62 carats and is dark pastel blue, and was named after Sir Philip Oppenheimer of the De Beers family. Diamonds of this size and color are extremely rare. It has a clarity that is almost perfect and a color that is very strong blue, which makes it very wanted. Back in 2016, it was sold at $57.5 million, which set the auction record for diamonds at that time.
9. De Beers Blue: $57.4 million
The De Beers Blue is a diamond that weighs 15.10 carats and is vivid blue, and it is the largest one of its kind that has ever been sold at auction. The stone was found in the Cullinan mine of South Africa, which is well recognized for its diamonds. Its step-cut, precise clarity, and intense blue light together make it an extraordinarily rare diamond. It was sold in 2022 for $57.4 million, which made it one of the most valuable diamonds on Earth.
10. The Graff Lesedi La Rona: $53 million+
The Graff Lesedi La Rona was produced from a 1,109-carat rough that had been discovered in Botswana, which is the second-largest diamond of gem-quality ever to be found. It underwent the process of turning into a 302.37-carat emerald-cut diamond that was the biggest of its type with the highest color and clarity. So it was bought for $53 million and also produced 66 smaller diamonds, which increased its total value significantly.
Conclusion
These top 10 most expensive diamonds in the world are not only valuable stones but also the representatives of history, culture, and nature’s magnificence. The major reasons why each diamond in this list is remarkable are its weight, tint, scarcity, and the amazing passage of time. These treasures, no matter if they are shown in museums, kept in royal reserves, or sold at high-priced auctions, still have the power to mesmerize the viewers. Their unbelievable stories and outstanding charm have conveyed that diamonds are still the most desired and admired stones on the planet.
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