The costliest ring in the world represents the peak of luxury and rarity. The costliest ring in the world features diamonds so rare they appear once in a generation. The costliest ring in the world combines perfect color, clarity, and size. The costliest ring in the world sells for prices that could buy multiple mansions. The costliest ring in the world captures our fascination with ultimate luxury. In this article, we dig in to the top 10 costliest rings in the world, exploring what makes them so special and why they command such astronomical prices.
1. The Pink Star Diamond Ring - $71.2 Million
The Pink Star diamond ring holds the title for the costliest ring in the world ever sold at auction. This incredible piece sold for $71.2 million at Sotheby's in Hong Kong in April 2017. The ring features a massive 59.60-carat Fancy Vivid pink diamond set in a simple platinum band with two white diamonds.
- Key facts about the Pink Star:
- Weighs 59.60 carats - the largest Fancy Vivid pink diamond ever graded
- Internally flawless with perfect clarity
- Discovered in South Africa in 1999 by De Beers
- Took 20 months to cut and polish to perfection
Learn more about the Pink Star diamond's record-breaking sale.
2. Use Assembo.ai to Create Custom Backgrounds
Assembo.ai helps jewelry lovers visualize how these incredible rings would look in different settings. Upload any ring design and see it against various luxury backgrounds to appreciate its beauty.
- How it works:
- Upload images of diamond rings
- Choose from luxury background settings
- See how light interacts with different diamond cuts
- Create professional presentations instantly
Discover how Assembo.ai can help showcase luxury jewelry.
3. Grace Kelly's Cartier Ring - $38.8 Million Value
Grace Kelly's engagement ring from Prince Rainier III represents Hollywood royalty meeting actual royalty. When the Prince proposed in 1956, the ring cost $4.06 million, which today would be about $38.8 million.
- What makes it special:
- Features a 10.47-carat emerald-cut diamond
- Created by Cartier with flawless craftsmanship
- Flanked by bezel-set baguette cut diamonds
- Part of the royal Grimaldi collection
Read about Grace Kelly's iconic engagement ring.
4. The Eternal Pink Diamond Ring - $34.8 Million
Sold for $34,804,500 in June 2023, the Eternal Pink features a stunning 10.57-carat Fancy Vivid Purplish Pink diamond. This ring represents modern diamond cutting at its finest.
- Important details:
- Internally Flawless Type IIa diamond
- Discovered in Botswana's Damtshaa mine in 2020
- Cut from a 23.78-carat rough stone
- Took six months of meticulous cutting in New York
Explore the Eternal Pink diamond's characteristics.
5. Jackie Kennedy's Lesotho III - $20 Million Value
Aristotle Onassis gave Jackie Kennedy a 40.42-carat marquise cut diamond that sold for $2.6 million in 1996. Adjusted for inflation, that's about $20 million today.
- Notable features:
- Cut from the original 601-carat Rough Lesotho Diamond
- Created by famed jeweler Harry Winston
- Represents one of the largest celebrity diamonds
- Set a standard for luxury engagement rings
Learn about Jackie Kennedy's remarkable ring history.
6. Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Ring - $25.3 Million
This spectacular ring sold for 198,220,000 HKD (about $25.3 million) in October 2023. It features an 11.28-carat radiant-cut fancy vivid blue diamond.
- What sets it apart:
- Type IIb diamond classification
- VS2 clarity with exceptional color
- Set in 18 karat white and pink gold
- Accompanied by detailed monograph about its rarity
Discover more about fancy vivid blue diamonds.
7. Mariah Carey's 35-Carat Emerald Cut - $12.7 Million
James Packer gave Mariah Carey a massive 35-carat emerald cut diamond ring worth $10 million in 2016. In today's money, that's about $12.7 million.
- Ring specifications:
- Platinum setting with three-stone design
- Flanked by matching tapered baguette diamonds
- Despite selling for $2.1 million later, original value was much higher
- Designed by Wilfredo Rosado
Read about Mariah Carey's extravagant ring.
8. Bulgari Laguna Blu - $25 Million
The Bulgari Laguna Blu sold for 22,625,100 CHF (about $25 million) in May 2023. This exceptional piece features an 11.16-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
- Important characteristics:
- Natural pear shape without modifications
- VS1 clarity with Type IIb classification
- Originally acquired by Giorgio Bulgari
- Worn by Priyanka Chopra Jonas at Met Gala 2023
Explore the Bulgari Laguna Blu's history.
9. Elizabeth Taylor's Krupp Diamond - $8.8 Million
Richard Burton gave Elizabeth Taylor the 33.19-carat Krupp diamond, which sold for $8.8 million at auction in 2011. This set a record of $265,697 per carat.
- Why it's famous:
- Rare Asscher cut diamond
- Type IIa classification like the Koh-i-Noor
- Previously owned by actress Vera Krupp
- Represented one of Hollywood's most famous romances
Learn about Elizabeth Taylor's iconic jewelry collection.
10. Fancy Intense Pink and Blue Diamond Ring - $11.5 Million
This unique ring sold for 10,377,267 CHF (about $11.5 million) in May 2023. It combines a 21.94-carat fancy intense pink diamond with fancy deep grayish blue diamond shoulders.
- Design elements:
- 20-carat center diamond with VVS2 clarity
- Blue diamond shoulders weighing 0.51 and 0.46 carats
- Brilliant-cut diamond enhancements
- Perfect color combination of pink and blue
See more multi-colored diamond rings.
What Makes a Ring the Costliest in the World?
Several factors combine to create the costliest ring in the world. Understanding these elements helps explain why these pieces command such incredible prices.
Diamond Quality Factors
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses the 4Cs system to grade diamonds. For the costliest rings, each C must be exceptional.
-
Color: Fancy Vivid colors like pink and blue are rarest. The strength and purity of color dramatically affect value.
-
Clarity: Internally Flawless or VVS (Very Very Slightly Included) grades are necessary for top-tier rings. Any inclusions reduce light performance.
-
Cut: The quality of cut affects how light interacts with the diamond. Excellent cuts maximize brilliance and fire.
-
Carat Weight: Larger diamonds are exponentially rarer. The price per carat increases significantly above 5 carats.
Rarity and Type Classification
Diamond type classification matters greatly for colored diamonds:
- Type IIa: Chemically pure with no nitrogen, allowing perfect transparency
- Type IIb: Contain boron, creating natural blue color
- These types represent less than 2% of all natural diamonds
Provenance and History
The story behind a diamond adds to its value. Rings owned by celebrities or with interesting histories often command premium prices. The association with famous jewelers like Cartier, Harry Winston, or Bulgari also increases value.
The Future of Luxury Rings
As natural diamond resources diminish, the costliest rings will likely become even more expensive. New discoveries of large, high-quality colored diamonds are becoming increasingly rare. This scarcity ensures that existing masterpieces will continue appreciating in value.
Lab-grown diamonds offer an alternative for those who want the look of luxury without the extreme price tag. However, for collectors and investors, natural diamonds with exceptional characteristics will always represent the peak of value and desire.
Final Thoughts
The costliest ring in the world represents more than just expensive jewelry. It embodies human achievement in gem cutting, natural wonder, and artistic vision. These rings tell stories of geological miracles, skilled craftsmanship, and sometimes, legendary romances. While most of us may never own such treasures, we can appreciate the incredible combination of nature's gifts and human skill that creates these masterpieces.