There are various sayings related to diamond, and each of them emphasizes on a single point that diamonds are priceless.
A large number have gained immense fame because of its nature, and some have been popular because of their associated history. Some have been sold at auctions at astronomical prices whereas others have been associated with some very popular figures.
Diamonds are mined from nearly 500 km below the earth’s crust. It is a rare commodity that is found only in very few places of the earth with the path plagued with difficulties. The extraordinary ones are considered the most expensive in the world, and their beauty is awe-inspiring.
The rarest are large and have remarkable clarity and color. These are natural creations that are considered invaluable. When the light is reflected from its edges, it seems as if it has become a fountain of stars and lights.
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Largest and most expensive diamonds
Diamonds have always managed to mesmerize geologists, collectors, owners, and audiences alike. At auctions, people have seen previous records were broken and newly made.
The actual price of a diamond is dependent on various factors like weight, color, clarity, reflecting edges and its cultural as well as historical significance. The most expensive of the gems have been in possession of some very rich and powerful people on this earth.
#1 Koh-I-Noor
Koh-I-Noor is the most expensive diamond in the world whose price is impossible to estimate. It means Mountain of Light and was at one time declared the largest diamond on this earth. Steeped in legends and mystery the diamond is said to have bought destruction to several houses.
It was obtained from the Kollur Mine in Golconda region and has changed several hands after being presented to the British crown by Maharaja Ranjit Singh Some historians have claimed that it was stolen by the British. Currently with a weight of 105.6 carats and dimensions of 3.6 cm* 3.2 cm * 1.3 cm, the largest, colorless and oval-cut diamond belongs to the British Crown. It is presently on public display at the HM Tower of London as a tourist attraction.
#2 The Sancy Diamond
The Sancy Diamond is another of the priceless diamonds in the world whose value has not been estimated. It is a 55.23-carat diamond or has 11.046 grams of weight.
The most expensive diamond in the world has gained historical significance and is currently kept at Apollo Gallery in Louvre, Paris as a part of French Crown Jewel Collection.
The pale yellow diamond is of Indian origin and belonged to the Mughal Empire. This was the first large gemstone that was cut with symmetrical facets and is now shaped like a shield.
One of the most unusual features of Sancy diamond is that it has a pair of crowns placed one on another with no pavilion.
Its documentation has started since the year 1570, and with time, the priceless diamond changed several hands. It was at last count sold to Louvre by the 4th Viscount Astor for one million dollars in the year 1978.
#3 The Cullinan
At an estimated value of four hundred million dollars, The Cullinan is considered one of the most expensive diamond in the world. It is a 3,106,75 carat diamond or weighs 621.35 grams.
The Cullinan is considered the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found on this planet. After polishing it came to be known as Cullinan 1 and is presently one of the largest clear-cut diamonds of 530.2 carats.
The Cullinan was found in the year 1905 on 26th January at Premier No. 2 mine in Cullinan in South Africa. It was put on sale and after two years was bought by Transvaal Colony government as a present for King Edward VII of the United Kingdom. Also known as The Great Star of Africa, the Cullinan Diamond is a part of British Crown Jewels.
#4 The Hope Diamond
With an estimated value of three hundred and fifty million dollars, The Hope diamond is one of the most expensive diamond in the world. It is a 45.52-carat diamond or weighs 9.10 grams.
The color looks blue when looked with the naked eye due to the impact of boron traces in the crystal structure. If seen under ultraviolet light the diamond shines like a red phosphor. It was acquired from the Kollur Mine in the Golconda region of Andhra Pradesh. The Antique Cushion cut makes it look awe-inspiring and exceptional.
The ownership records of this diamond date back to nearly four hundred years. According to several legends, The Hope Diamond is said to be cursed bringing bad luck to its owner.
It was supposedly stolen from a statue in India. The exceptional and one of the most expensive diamond is now placed at Smithsonian Museum of Natural History located at Washington in the United States.
#5 De Beers Centenary Diamond
The De Beers Centenary Diamond is estimated at one hundred million dollars and is considered one of the most expensive diamond of all times.
It has been classified by Gemological Institute of America as D level and thus priceless. The diamond has the distinction of being the 3rd largest ever produced in De Beer’s Premier Mine in South Africa.
It was discovered in the year 1986 and was unveiled in the year 1991 with a modified brilliant cut of heart shape. The current owner of the diamond is unknown as his name has not been disclosed.
De Beers Centenary Diamond is considered both externally and internally flawless. It is one of the highest grades of colorless diamond that is of 273.85 carats or weighs 54.77 grams.
#6 Wittelsbach Diamond
At an estimated 80 million US dollars, Wittelsbach Diamond is one of the most expensive diamond in the world. It is a 35.36 carat or 7.11-gram weight diamond that is greyish-blue in color.
The size of the diamond is said to be 40mm in diameter with VS 2 clarity and 8.29 mm depth. It had 82 facets that were arranged in a pattern.
The origin of Wittelsbach Diamond is said to be Kollur mines in Andhra Pradesh, India and later it was also part of the Austrian Crown jewels. In the year 2011, the Wittelsbach Diamond was sold to the emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa.
#7 The Steinmetz Pink or The Pink Star
The Steinmetz Pink is one of the most expensive diamond in the world with an estimated price tag of seventy-one million dollars. It is also known as The Pink Star. The Gemological Institute of America rated it as Vivid Pink. It was mined in De Beers mines in South Africa in the year 1999.
The diamond was later auctioned at Sotheby’s Auction and bought by Isaac Wolf in the year 2014 who was unable to clear the payment. Later it was sold to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises in the year 2017.
The Steinmetz Pink is oval-shaped and of 59.60 carats or 11.92-gram weight. It is the largest vivid pink diamond in the world. The Pink Star is considered internally flawless. It was displayed at the Smithsonian’s exhibition as part of “The Splendor of Diamonds.”
#8 Oppenheimer Blue
Oppenheimer Blue has been estimated at a price value of 50.6 million US dollars and is considered one of the most expensive diamond in the world. It was named for its previous owner Philip Oppenheimer and was sold at a Christie’s auction in the year 2016 to an unknown buyer.
It is an emerald-cut diamond of 14.62 carat or 2.924 grams weight. The Gemological Institute of America has verified it as the largest fancy-vivid blue diamond.
#9 Blue Moon of Josephine
At an estimated value of 48.4 million US dollars, Blue Moon of Josephine is one of the most expensive diamond in the world.
It was discovered in South Africa in the year 2014, January and was sold in the year 2015, November at Sotheby’s Geneva auction. It was purchased by Joseph Lau Luen-hung, a Hong Kong Billionaire, who named it after his daughter Josephine.
It is 12.03 carats or 2.406 in weight with a Cushion-shaped cut. It is a fancy-vivid blue diamond that is considered flawless. Under ultraviolet light the most expensive diamond, Blue Moon of Josephine shows red phosphorescence.
#10 Graff Pink
The Graff Pink is a rare pink diamond with an estimated value tag of 46 million US dollars. It has easily gained entry inside the club of most expensive diamond.
The Graff Pink is a 24.78 carat or 4.956-gram weight diamond. As the name suggests the Gemological Institute of America has described the emerald-cut diamond with rounded corners as fancy-intense pink.
Earlier the ownership of the diamond was with Harry Winston, American Jeweller. It was later mounted on a ring and sold by Sotheby’s at an auction in Geneva in the year 2010.
One of the most expensive diamond in the world diamond Graff Pink was purchased at the auction by Laurence Graff, of Graff Diamonds, hence the name Graff Pink.
#11 Prince Diamond
Prince Diamond was supposedly discovered in the Golconda mines in Andhra Pradesh, India. At 40 million UD dollars, it is one of the most expensive diamond available in the world. It was auctioned at Christie’s in the year 2013, 16th April.
The cushion-cut rare diamond is of 34.65 carats or 6.930 grams in weight. Gemological Institute of America has described it as a fancy-intense pink diamond with natural color and VS2 clarity. When exposed to ultraviolet rays it turns orangey-red bright fluorescence.
#12 The Winston Blue
The Winston Blue was purchased by Harry Winston, Inc in the year 2014 at a sale organized by Christie’s from an anonymous person. At an estimated value of 23.8 million US dollars, it is one of the rarest and most expensive diamond in the world.
The Winston Blue is flawless and largest of vivid-blue diamond with 13.22 carat or 2.644 grams of weight. It was supposedly found in South Africa although it is yet to be verified.
The Gemological Institute of America, however, has verified that the Winston Blue Diamond is with flawless clarity and is internally and externally pure.
#13 The Moussaieff Red Diamond
With an estimated value of twenty million dollars, The Moussaieff Red Diamond is one of the most expensive diamond in the world. It was earlier known as Red Shield Diamond and is a triangular brilliant-cut measuring 5.11 carats or weighing 1.022 grams.
The Gemological Institute of America rated it as Fancy red. The Moussaieff Red Diamond as the name suggests us the rarest, largest and most expensive known red diamond on this earth.
It was discovered in a river by a Brazilian farmer in the 1990s. The rough diamond of 13.9 carats was bought and cut by William Goldberg Diamond Corp. Currently, the ownership rests with Moussaieff Jewellers Ltd and was displayed in the year 2003 as part of “The Splendor of Diamonds” exhibition.
#14 The Heart of Eternity
With an estimated value of sixteen million US dollars, The Heart of Eternity has become one of the most expensive diamond of all times. It was discovered in the Premier Diamond Mine in South Africa and was unveiled in the year 2000.
The diamond measures 27.64 carats or 5.528 gram of weight. In color, it is rated by the Gemological Institute of America as Fancy Vivid-Blue.
The honor for cutting the Heart of Eternity goes to the Steinmetz Group, who was the owner before selling it to the De Beers Group. The Heart of Eternity is a rare colored gemstone that became one of the most expensive diamond in the world.
#15 The Allnatt Diamond
The Allnatt Diamond was supposedly found in the Premier Diamond Mine of South Africa, although it is yet to be verified. With an estimated value of three million US dollars, it has found a place in the club of most expensive diamond of our times.
The original owner of the diamond is said to be Alfred Ernest Allnatt, hence the name. It was resold in the year 1996 at an auction by Christie in Geneva to SIBA Group. It measures 101.29 carats or weighs 20.258 gram.
The diamond is said to be cushion-cut and has been rated in color by The Gemological Institute of America as Fancy-Vivid Yellow. It was displayed in the year 2003 as part of “The Splendor of Diamonds” Smithsonian’s exhibition.
Diamonds are the most sought-after and exclusive gemstones in the world. These have been locked in collector’s secured places and have also found a place in crown jewels and tiaras.
Why people buy or sell luxury diamonds?
these diamonds are a representation of extraordinary power, fortune, and wealth.
