A costly diamond ring is more than just jewelry—it's a symbol of rarity, luxury, and timeless beauty. From celebrity engagements to royal collections, these dazzling gems command millions at auctions. No matter if you're a collector or simply curious, this list of the top 10 most costly diamond rings will captivate you. We’ll dig in to their unique features, historical significance, and jaw-dropping price tags.
1. The Pink Star Diamond Ring
The Pink Star diamond ring holds the record as the world’s most costly diamond ring, selling for $71.2 million in 2017. This 59.60-carat oval-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond is a rare Type IIa gem with no measurable impurities.
- Key details:
- Mined in Africa and cut by Diacore.
- Graded Internally Flawless by GIA.
- Purchased by Hong Kong’s Chow Tai Fook and renamed CTF Pink.
Learn more about the Pink Star’s auction history.
2. Williamson Pink Star Diamond Ring
This 11.15-carat cushion-cut pink diamond fetched $57.7 million at a 2022 Sotheby’s auction. Mined in Tanzania, it’s set in rose gold with trapeze-cut side diamonds.
- Why it’s special:
- Highest per-carat price ever recorded ($5.1 million per carat).
- Internally flawless with vivid color saturation.
- Originally part of Queen Elizabeth’s personal collection.
See Sotheby’s catalog entry for high-resolution images.
3. Oppenheimer Blue Diamond Ring
Named after a South African mine owner, this 14.62-carat fancy vivid blue diamond sold for $57.5 million in 2016. Blue diamonds make up less than 0.1% of all diamonds.
- Fun facts:
- Type IIb diamonds conduct electricity due to boron traces.
- Rough stone weighed 30-35 carats before cutting.
- Christie’s Geneva auction set a record for blue diamonds.
Explore blue diamond rarity.
4. Graff Pink Diamond Ring
Laurence Graff bought this 24.78-carat emerald-cut pink diamond for $46 million in 2010. After recutting, it became a 23.88-carat internally flawless stone.
- Historical note:
- Previously owned by Harry Winston.
- Platinum setting with shield-shaped side diamonds.
- Last public appearance before auction was in 1950.
Read about Graff’s recutting process.
5. Grace Kelly’s Cartier Ring
Prince Rainier III commissioned this 10.48-carat emerald-cut diamond ring in 1956. Originally worth $4 million, it’s now valued at $44.3 million as part of Monaco’s royal collection.
- Royal connections:
- Flanked by two baguette diamonds.
- Second engagement ring after a ruby-and-diamond piece.
- Inspired countless emerald-cut engagement rings.
View Grace Kelly’s jewelry legacy.
6. Blue Moon of Josephine Ring
This 12.03-carat cushion-cut blue diamond was renamed after the buyer’s daughter. It set a per-carat record at $4 million per carat in 2015 ($48.4 million total).
- Mining details:
- Found at South Africa’s Premier Mine.
- Exhibits red phosphorescence under UV light.
- Mounted in a simple platinum setting.
Discover more blue diamond properties.
7. Elizabeth Taylor’s Krupp Diamond
Richard Burton gifted this 33.19-carat Asscher-cut diamond in 1968. It sold for $8.8 million in 2011—$265,697 per carat—a record at the time.
- Hollywood history:
- Originally owned by German actress Vera Krupp.
- Type IIa diamond with exceptional clarity.
- Taylor wore it daily, calling it her "ice skater."
See Taylor’s jewelry collection.
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- Features:
- Realistic diamond reflections.
- Multiple background options.
- Instant previews without photoshoots.
Try Assembo.ai’s jewelry tools today.
9. Eternal Pink Diamond Ring
This 10.57-carat purplish-pink diamond sold for $34.8 million in 2023. Mined in Botswana, it’s one of the last major pink diamonds from the closed Argyle mine.
- Color science:
- Fancy vivid purplish-pink hue.
- GIA issued a special monograph for its rarity.
- Set with trapezoid-cut side stones.
Read GIA’s analysis of pink diamonds.
10. Laguna Blu Diamond Necklace
Though now a necklace, this 11.16-carat pear-shaped blue diamond debuted as a ring. Bulgari reset it into a laurel wreath design worn by Priyanka Chopra at the 2023 Met Gala before its $25.7 million sale.
- Design notes:
- Unmodified natural pear shape.
- VS1 clarity with Type IIb classification.
- Privately owned for 50 years before auction.
View Bulgari’s iconic designs.
Final Thoughts
From the Pink Star to Grace Kelly’s Cartier ring, these costly diamond rings showcase nature’s rarest creations. Their value comes from carat size, color intensity, and historical provenance. No matter if you're dreaming of owning one or just admiring them, these gems represent the pinnacle of luxury. For more affordable alternatives, consider lab-grown diamonds with similar brilliance at a fraction of the cost.