Jewellery has long served as a status symbol, a representation of a person’s monetary prosperity, a link to their family’s past, and an expression of their artistic talent. The world’s most opulent jewels, whether set with sparkling diamonds discovered deep within the planet or unique coloured gemstones discovered in faraway places, are works of art that will last forever. Royalty, celebrities, and billionaires have accessorised themselves with these priceless gems for generations, not merely as a status symbol but as a means of preserving something very special. The world of high jewellery is brimming with iconic items that command exorbitant prices. Some of these pieces are so large and rare that they command astronomical prices; others are so well-crafted, historically significant, or owned by famous people that their prices skyrocket. Collectors keep these dazzling works of art in their vaults, display them in museums, or sell them at auction for record-breaking amounts. Jewellery such as the Hope and Pink Star diamonds, as well as royal tiaras and necklaces adorned with rare jewels, are more than just pieces of jewellery; they are heirlooms. Presented here are the ten most costly pieces of jewellery ever sold, each having an incredible backstory, an incomprehensible level of craftsmanship, and an unparalleled monetary worth. This list will astound anyone who appreciates fine jewels or who is simply enchanted by the splendour and beauty of the most valuable jewellery in the world. Here you will find the most priceless jewels in the world, so brace yourself for an adventure where beauty meets billions.
These Are The Top 10 Expensive Jewellery In The World
1. The Koh-i-Noor – Priceless
The Koh-i-Noor, whose name means “mountain of light” in Persian, is the most valuable and rare diamond in the world. Its royal history, cultural and political importance make it impossible to replace. It used to weigh 793 carats, but after being cut and cleaned, it now weighs 105.6 carats. The stone is thought to have come from the Kollur Mine in Golconda, which is near the Krishna River in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It’s not a normal diamond because it’s never been bought or sold. The Koh-i-Noor is a sign of the rise and fall of a powerful kingdom. It was a prized gem for the rulers of India, Persia, and Afghanistan, and it became part of the British crown jewels in the 1800s. The Koh-i-Noor is now part of the Crown Jewels.
2. The Cullinan – Up to $2 billion
The Cullinan diamond, the biggest rough diamond ever found, was mined in South Africa in 1905 and originally weighed an incredible 3,106 carats. The 105 stones of varying sizes were cut from it, and it was named after Thomas Cullinan, the mine chairman. The original rough could be worth more than $2 billion if it were whole, a tribute to its geological grandeur. The two largest, Cullinan I and Cullinan II, are set in Britain’s Crown Jewels, and their combined carat weight is 530.4 and 317.4 carats, respectively.
3. The Hope Diamond – $200-250 million
There are few blue gems as well-known as the Hope Diamond. The Fancy Deep Greyish Blue diamond, which weighs 45.2-carats, has an estimated worth of more than $200 million. Many think it has its origins in the 17th century, when it was first found in the same Golconda mine as the Koh-i-Noor. It was reduced from its original 112 carat weight to its current 69 carat gem size before being added to the French Crown Jewels. It went missing during the French Revolution but was found again in England in the 1800s.
4. The Centenary Diamond – $100 million
The discovery of the Centenary Diamond took place in 1986 at South Africa’s most prestigious mine; the public was informed of its existence two years later, on the 100th anniversary of De Beers. “The Centenary Diamond” was the name that De Beers chose to honour their anniversary. One of the largest top-color diamonds, the Centenary Diamond was originally 599 carats in weight and was internally and outwardly perfect. The stone was meticulously cut into a modified heart-shaped diamond with 247 facets that were precisely aligned, weighing 273.85 carats.
5. The CTF Pink Star – $71.2 million
At Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2017, the record-breaking pink star, an oval mixed-cut fancy bright pink diamond with 59.60 carats of internal clarity, sold for $71.2 million. It remains the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction. Its magnitude and intensity are beyond comprehension; it is now owned by Chow Tai Fook of Hong Kong and called the CTF Pink Star. The CTF pink star is the most exceptional pink diamond in terms of both colour and clarity, and it also happens to be the largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond ever rated by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
6. Williamson Pink Star – $57.7 million
At Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2022, the Williamson Pink Star fetched an astonishing $57.7 million. Named after the Williamson mine in Tanzania, this 11.15-carat cushion-cut fancy vivid pink diamond was mined there and is now up for sale. It was the most costly diamond ever sold at auction, with a price tag of over $5 million per carat. Not only that, it surpassed the record-breaking CTF Pink Star auction that same year to become the second most costly gem ever sold at auction. The pink cushion-shaped diamond, which weighs 11.15 carats, was expertly cut and polished from a 32.32 carat raw diamond, and it sits on a rose gold band set with white and pink diamonds. The combination of its intense pink tone and internally immaculate clarity makes it an exquisite work of art.
7. The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond – $57.5 million
This bright blue diamond, which weighed 14.62 carats and was previously owned by Sir Philip Oppenheimer, fetched $57.5 million at an auction in 2016. There was no diamond that Sir Philip could have desired because the Oppenheimers had been at the head of the diamond industry for so long. The one he picked out had the ideal shade, the right dimensions, and the most amazing rectangular shape. The superb diamond’s classical emerald cut highlights its Vivid Blue classification.
8. De Beers Blue – $57.5 million
Auctioned off at a staggering $57.5 million in April 2022 by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the De Beers Blue diamond became the priciest blue diamond in auction history. Not only is this remarkable 15.10 carat blue diamond the largest perfect step cut vivid blue diamond ever graded by GIA, but it also shattered the record for largest blue diamond ever to appear at auction. The largest fancy vivid blue diamond ever sold at auction, the stone captivated onlookers with its dazzling brilliance and immaculate clarity.
9. Blue Moon of Josephine – $48.4 million
A rough diamond measuring 29.62 carats was unearthed from South Africa’s Cullinan mine. At the 2015 Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction, this 12.03-carat raw diamond fetched 48.4 million Hong Kong dollars. The diamond was renamed “Josephine” after the millionaire father who purchased it for his daughter. There is a detailed history of Blue Moon diamonds, beginning with their discovery and continuing through their cutting and sale. An further explanation supporting the existence of the ideal diamond is that its shape is reminiscent of the full moon. In the world of jewellery, the diamond is unquestionably a work of art.
10. Graff Pink – $46.2 million
There has been no sighting of the 24.78-carat Fancy Intense Pink emerald-cut diamond for 60 years prior to its auction. Graff Pink has the potential for a perfect grade upon repolishing, according to the GIA assessment. This diamond is a Type IIa intense pink diamond, meaning it is very rare and valuable due to its pink colour and low inclusion content. The diamond was repolished and sold by New York jeweller Harry Winston to Laurence Graff in 2010 for $46.2 million; Graff rechristened the stone the Graff Pink.