Very few are there who don’t possess an interest in knowing the world’s top 10 most expensive diamonds. In the century-old history of natural diamonds, very few of them are worth collecting, people know about them. Here we will look into the 10 most expensive diamonds in the world and some jaw-dropping facts about them.

10 Most Expensive Diamonds – Exploring the Sparkling History

Before we get into those 10 names full of opulence and flawlessness, we must mention that these diamonds are priced or auctioned at such a high price not only based on their quality analysis but also on their rarity. So, let’s turn the pages up and explore those masterpieces.

1. Koh-I-Noor – the Priceless Gem

Dating back to almost the 11th to 12th century, during the Kakatiya Dynasty, the Kohinoor diamond was mined from nature’s core in the Golconda region of India. Originally weighing around 793 carats, this priceless gem was later given an oval shape brilliant cut having a massive weight of 105.60 carats. Later, it crowned the Peacock Throne of the Mughal Empire. Later, the Persian king Nader Shah seized it. In the 19th century, it eventually became a part of the British Crown Jewels after changing hands multiple times. Though the debate is still on regarding when and where the ore was actually mined, this masterpiece is still at the top of the list of the most precious gems around the globe. As per some global experts, this diamond could be worth well over half a billion US Dollars now.

2. Cullinan Diamond – the Largest Form of Rough Diamond Ever

The Cullinan diamond is the largest rough diamond ever mined, possessing a weight of 3106 carats. Later cut into 9 main stones with different shapes, the Cullinan I is the largest of them all, holding the position of the largest clear-cut diamond with an immersive weight of 530.20 carats. Also known as the ‘Great Star of Africa’, it is presently encrusted in the sceptre of King Charles III. The second largest of them is the Cullinan II, weighing 317.40 carats, a part of the Imperial State Crown now. It was found in South Africa. This regal stone got its name after the chairman of the mine, Mr. Thomas Cullinan. As per the experts, this masterpiece is worth $400 million now, maintaining the prestigious status of one of the most expensive diamonds.

3. The Hope Diamond – the Beautiful Violet

After Koh-I-Noor, the Golconda mine in India was the home of another imperial diamond with an impressive blue hue. Originally estimated at a whopping $300 million, this mesmerizing piece was acquired by a French traveler, Jean Baptiste Tavernier, in its actual 112-carat form. Later, it became the ‘Blue Diamond of the Crown’ of King Charles XIV. Finally, it ended up at the Smithsonian Institution in 1958. The colour of this masterpiece has a great contribution towards its becoming one of the world’s most alluring and expensive diamonds.

4. Centenary by De Beers – the Heart-shaped Masterpiece

Originally discovered at the Premier mine in South Africa in 1986, the diamond giant De Beers announced its existence 2-years later in 1988, to celebrate its 100th anniversary. From this incident, it got its name ‘Centenary’. It weighed around 599 carats in its rough form, later, it was cut into a 273.85-carat heart-shaped piece, having 247 perfectly aligned facets, after the meticulous craftsmanship of 154 days. GIA (Gemological Institute of America) later certified it with a ‘D’ color grading, and internally and externally flawless. In the very first phase of its discovery, the Centenary diamond was the largest colourless diamond having a new-generation cut. Though it is not evaluated yet, it has an insurance of $100 million.

5. CTF Pink Star Diamond – Most Expensive Ever Sold at an Auction

Though this gem was originally mined by De Beers in South Africa in 1999, there is an imperial as well emotional story behind acquiring the name of CTF Pink Star Diamond. This was the largest diamond ever to get a Fancy Vivid Pink colour grading. While the mined piece weighed around 132.5 carats, after meticulous cutting and polishing by the experts of the Steinmetz Group for over 2 years, a 59.60-carat oval diamond came out as a result. Then it got the name Steinmetz Pink Diamond. But later, at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong in 2017, a city-based jewellery brand Chow Tai Fook bought it with $71.2 millions, and that too on a telephone bid. The billionaire owner Henry Cheng renamed the masterpiece with the initials of his late father. And this one also is the most expensive diamond ever came under the hammer.

6. Williamson Pink Star – the Bubblegum Pink

This one regal piece also came under the hammer at a Sotheby’s in Hong Kong. It was found in the Williamson mine in Tanzania, which, as per the auctioneer, produced numerous pieces with a ‘Bubblegum’ pink colour. The piece is an 11.15-carat cushion-shaped diamond with pink colour. Williamson Pink Star diamond tops the list of most expensive diamonds by price-per-carat. Another royal piece from this same mine is probably the 23.6-carat Williamson Pink Diamond. The esteemed owner of this piece was the late Queen Elizabeth II. This ownership eventually made this legacy of pink diamonds more alluring.

7. The Regent Diamond – the Sword’s Guard of Napoleon Bonaparte

This 140.64-carat diamond also dates back 200 years ago, to the Kollur mine in India. A man under slavery kept this piece hidden until an English sea captain killed him and seized it. The Englishman then sold the diamond to a merchant and it finally reached France. It ended up being encrusted on the crowns of Louis XV and Louis XVI. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte acquired it in 1801, mounting it as his sword’s guard. Now it illuminates the Louvre Museum, finally recovering after the French Revolution. As per experts, its value has reached around USD 60 million now, for its imperial beauty and jaw-dropping history.

8. Oppenheimer Blue Diamond – the Striking Blue Beauty

Where only 1/10th of mined blue diamonds exceed the weight threshold of 1-carat, this 14.62-carat emerald cut diamond is truly an exception. It’s colour- ‘Fancy Vivid Blue’ and clarity- VVS1 made this piece too good to miss. Sir Philip Oppenheimer, the controller of De Beers once, has been the reason behind the name of this gem. In Geneva, this masterpiece topped the list of the most expensive diamonds ever sold at an auction in 2016, commanding a gigantic price of $57.5 million. Its decent colour, authentic size, and awesome 4C proportions made this natural beauty more enigmatic.

9. De Beers Blue – the Largest Vivid Blue Diamond Ever Auctioned

Originating in the prestigious Cullinan mine of South Africa in 2021, this 15.10-carat piece is an exception. There are only 5 vivid blue diamonds ever been auctioned, over 10 carats, and none of them crosses the 15-carat benchmark at all. For this unmatched size and flawless beauty, this diamond went under the hammer at around $9 million more than the estimate, getting a total of USD 57.4 million. Another achievement of this piece is that it is the largest internally flawless step-cut vivid blue diamond with certificate from GIA. Due to its exceptional natural beauty, and intensified colour, this legendary nature creation is a landmark for the auctioneers.

10. The Graff Lesedi La Rona – GIA-certified Largest Square Emerald-Cut Diamond

In Botswana’s Tswana language, ‘Graff Lesedi La Rona’ means “Our Light”. In 2015, it was originally mined in its rough form of 1109 carats. Graff purchased this legend with $53 million in 2017. Afterwards, expert cutters meticulously brought out a 302.37-carat square-shaped emerald-cut diamond. This masterpiece is so far the largest, ever certified with the best colour grade and purity by GIA. The magnificent rough piece also gave birth to 66 tinier pieces, underlining the supreme legacy of the piece. To date, Lawrence Graff has retained its ownership, holding the exceptional regalia of this masterpiece.

In this listing of the most expensive diamonds in the world, we discovered some facts that are beyond interesting. Though we only deal in minimalistic gold and diamond jewellery at lamarquem.com, the legacy of the most expensive diamonds will always give us goosebumps.