Forget diamonds being a girl’s best friend – these dazzling beauties would make your wallet cry. We’re not talking cubic zirconia here, folks. Buckle up as we unveil the most ridiculously expensive diamonds on the planet, from the legendary Hope Diamond (with enough bad luck to sink a battleship) to the crown jewels that would put any royal wedding to shame. Get ready for some serious sparkle and some eye-watering price tags.
Moussaieff Red Diamond: $20 million
That’s incredible! Red diamonds are like the royalty of gemstones, insanely rare and with price tags to match. This 5.11-carat monster is the king of the red diamonds, and with a history as colorful as its hue. Imagine stumbling across this while just being a regular farmer – that’s a life-changing pickaxe swing right there! And who wouldn’t want to own a gem with a nickname like “Red Shield”? Sounds like something straight out of a superhero movie. No wonder Moussaieff snatched it up – for $20 million, you’d hope it came with magical powers too!
Taylor-Burton Diamond: $23 million
Now that’s a Hollywood love story with some serious bling involved! A 68-carat pear-shaped diamond? Forget diamonds being a girl’s best friend, that’s a whole engagement party. Burton must have really wanted to win Taylor’s heart (or maybe just outbid Cartier!). Can you imagine rocking that to the Oscars? She definitely stole the show, even if the diamond itself ended up being sold later. Still, who wouldn’t want a piece of Hollywood history (especially one worth $23 million today)? Mouawad better keep that beauty under lock and key!
The Rock: $24 million
They don’t call it “The Rock” for nothing – a 228-carat pear-shaped white diamond is practically a small planet. Who knew someone ever wore this around their neck? Imagine the pressure of rocking a golf ball-sized diamond – better hope you have good insurance! And $24 million? That’s enough to buy a private island and have spare change for a fleet of yachts. This Cartier necklace must have been truly opulent – fit for royalty (or maybe a superhero with a serious bling obsession).
The Light of Memory Diamond: $24 million
Breathtaking! Pink diamonds are like the unicorns of the gemstone world, incredibly rare and even more dazzling. A 9.14-carat pear-shaped beauty? That’s enough to make even the most jaded jewelry lover swoon. And who wouldn’t adore a name like “The Light of Memory”? Sounds like something out of a fairytale. No wonder it fetched a whopping $24 million – that’s one memory this Asian collector will never forget! Imagine owning a piece of pink diamond history like that. Now that’s some serious spark with a touch of sentiment!
Chloe Diamond: $25 million
The Chloe Diamond is the world’s largest colorless, brilliant-cut round diamond. The captivating gemstone was bought by George Marciano, co-founder of clothing brand Guess, for $16.2 million in 2007, around $25 million in today’s money.
Marciano named the 84.37-carat diamond after his then-12-year-old daughter.
Mouawad Blue Diamond: $25 million
Shrouded in legend and boasting a staggering 42.92 carats, the Mouawad Blue, formerly known as the Tereshchenko Diamond, holds the title of the world’s second-largest blue diamond. Whispers follow this gem, claiming it was once stolen from the eyes of an ancient Indian sculpture. While truth or myth remains to be seen, the diamond’s past is undeniable. Its first owner, Mikhail Tereshchenko, saw his fortune vanish during the Russian Revolution. Today, the Mouawad Blue resides with its namesake, Robert Mouawad, and its value is estimated at a cool $25 million.
Archduke Joseph Diamond: $29 million
A marvel of antique design, this cushion-shaped diamond boasts a remarkable 76.02 carats. Born from the same legendary Indian mines as the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, the gem bears the name of its first owner, Archduke Joseph August of Austria. Now residing in a discreet private collection, it commanded a staggering $21.5 million at Christie’s Geneva auction in 2012. That translates to a cool $29 million in today’s market, solidifying its place among the world’s most valuable treasures.
Great Chrysanthemum Diamond: $30 million
Unearthed in 1963 from the famed Kimberley Mines of South Africa, this magnificent diamond stuns with its unique orange-brown hue. A true giant at 104.15 carats, the rough stone found its way into the discerning hands of jeweler Julius Cohen. Recognizing its potential, Cohen oversaw its transformation into the dazzling gem we know today. He bestowed upon it the name “The Great Chrysanthemum” after a Texas charity event, the Chrysanthemum Ball. This beauty has since found a new home in a private collection, where its worth is estimated at a cool $30 million.
Tiffany Yellow Diamond: $30 million
Oozing timeless glamour, the Tiffany Yellow Diamond is a legend crafted by New York’s iconic jeweler, Tiffany & Co. This dazzling yellow gem boasts a staggering 128.54 carats and holds the distinction of being worn by the one and only Audrey Hepburn in publicity photos for the unforgettable film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” in 1961. But Hepburn isn’t the only style icon to be graced by this beauty. The Tiffany Yellow Diamond remains in the company’s collection and has been a sparkling accessory for a select few, including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Gal Gadot, and Mrs. Mary Whitehouse, wife of a distinguished American diplomat.
Cullinan Dream Diamond: $30.5 million
Emerging from the depths of South Africa’s legendary Cullinan Mine in 2014, the Cullinan Dream is a flawless blue diamond of exceptional beauty. Weighing in at an impressive 24.18 carats, this gem was meticulously cut from a much larger rough stone, a staggering 122.52 carats. Its brilliance propelled it to stardom at a Christie’s New York auction in June 2020, where it fetched a remarkable $25.4 million, a price tag that translates to a cool $30.5 million in today’s market. This sale cemented the Cullinan Dream’s place among the most valuable blue diamonds ever sold.
The Spirit of the Rose Diamond: $32 million
A captivating member of the elite 1% of pink diamonds weighing 10 carats or more, the Spirit of the Rose Diamond is a stunning 14.8-carat purple-pink gemstone. This treasure hails from the mines of Russia and commanded a staggering price of almost $26.6 million at a Swiss auction in 2020. In today’s market, that translates to a cool $32 million, solidifying its place among the most valuable jewels in the world.
Sweet Josephine Diamond: $38 million
A captivating pink gem, the Sweet Josephine Diamond holds the distinction of being one of the most expensive vivid pink diamonds ever sold at auction. This whopper of a stone weighs a remarkable 16.08 carats and found its way into the hands of Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau at a Christie’s Geneva auction in 2015. The price tag? A staggering $28.7 million, which translates to a cool $38 million in today’s market. Lau wasn’t shy about showing off his love for his daughter, Josephine – he even named this beauty after her!
Koh-i-Noor Diamond: priceless
Steeped in history and controversy, the Koh-i-Noor, or “mountain of light” diamond, is one of the crown jewels of England. This priceless 105.602-carat gemstone boasts a legendary past. Discovered in 13th-century India, it first graced the treasury of the Kaktiya dynasty. However, its journey to England’s Crown Jewels in 1849 is clouded in controversy, with claims that it changed hands under dubious circumstances. Ever since India’s independence in 1947, the Indian government has passionately campaigned for its return.