The search for the highest carat diamond ring has fascinated people for generations. These spectacular pieces represent the peak of luxury and romance. From royal proposals to record-breaking auction sales, the highest carat diamond rings tell stories of love, wealth, and incredible natural beauty. In this article, we will dig in to the top 10 highest carat diamond rings that have captured the world's attention. We will look at celebrity engagement rings, historic pieces, and stones that have set new records in the jewelry world.
1. The Pink Star Diamond Ring - 59.60 Carats
The Pink Star diamond ring holds the title for the highest carat diamond ring ever sold at auction. This amazing piece features a 59.60-carat oval-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond. It is a rare Type IIa diamond, which means it has no measurable impurities. This makes it one of the purest diamonds in existence.
- Key facts about the Pink Star:
- Weighs 59.60 carats, making it the largest fancy vivid pink diamond graded by GIA.
- Sold for $71.2 million at Sotheby's Hong Kong auction in 2017.
- Purchased by Hong Kong jewelry company Chow Tai Fook, who renamed it CTF Pink.
- Represents less than 1% of all fancy color diamonds in the world.
Learn more about record-breaking diamond rings at Sotheby's.
2. Use Assembo.ai to Create Custom Backgrounds
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3. Jackie Kennedy's Second Engagement Ring - 40.42 Carats
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis received one of the most famous highest carat diamond rings for her engagement to Aristotle Onassis. The ring featured a 40.42-carat marquise-cut diamond known as the Lesotho III. This stone was cut from the famous 601-carat Lesotho diamond discovered in South Africa.
- Important details about this historic ring:
- Designed by Harry Winston, one of the world's top jewelers.
- Sold for $2.6 million at auction in 1996 after Jackie's death.
- Would be worth approximately $20 million in today's market.
- Jackie reportedly only wore the ring twice due to its large size.
Read about other famous celebrity engagement rings.
4. Mariah Carey's Engagement Ring - 35 Carats
When billionaire James Packer proposed to Mariah Carey in 2016, he presented her with a stunning 35-carat emerald-cut diamond ring. This highest carat diamond ring quickly became one of the most talked-about celebrity engagement rings of all time. The platinum-set ring featured a three-stone design with the massive center diamond flanked by tapered baguette diamonds.
- Facts about Mariah's record-breaking ring:
- Originally valued at $10 million when purchased.
- One of the largest celebrity engagement rings ever seen.
- Despite their broken engagement, Mariah kept the ring.
- She later sold it for $2.1 million to a Los Angeles jeweler.
Explore more expensive celebrity engagement rings.
5. Elizabeth Taylor's Krupp Diamond - 33.19 Carats
Elizabeth Taylor's highest carat diamond ring from Richard Burton remains one of the most famous pieces of jewelry in Hollywood history. The 33.19-carat Asscher-cut diamond was originally known as the Krupp diamond before Elizabeth Taylor owned it. This remarkable stone represents the glamour and extravagance of Old Hollywood.
- Why this ring stands out:
- A very rare Type IIa diamond, among the purest forms of diamond.
- Sold for $8.8 million at auction in 2011 as part of Elizabeth's jewelry collection.
- Set a record of $265,697 per carat at the time of sale.
- Richard Burton famously said the diamond looked best on Elizabeth's finger.
Discover more about world-famous diamond rings.
6. Paris Hilton's Engagement Ring - 20 Carats
Paris Hilton received a massive 20-carat pear-shaped diamond ring from her ex-fiancé Chris Zylka in 2018. This highest carat diamond ring perfectly matched Paris's love for glamour and luxury. The ring featured a diamond halo and a diamond-set split-shank platinum band, adding even more sparkle to an already impressive center stone.
- Notable aspects of Paris's ring:
- Estimated value of $2 million at the time of the proposal.
- Designed by jeweler Michael Greene.
- Paris famously lost the ring at a Miami nightclub but found it in an ice bucket.
- She kept the ring after the engagement ended.
See other large celebrity engagement rings.
7. Grace Kelly's Cartier Ring - 10.47 Carats
Though not the largest in pure carat weight, Grace Kelly's engagement ring from Prince Rainier III deserves mention for its historical importance and current value. The 10.47-carat emerald-cut diamond ring from Cartier has become one of the most iconic pieces of jewelry in history. What makes this highest carat diamond ring special is its incredible value growth over time.
- Why this ring remains significant:
- Originally cost $4 million in 1956 (about $45 million today).
- Features two baguette diamonds flanking the center stone.
- Now part of the House of Grimaldi royal collection.
- Grace Kelly wore the ring in the film "High Society" before her marriage.
Learn about royal and celebrity engagement rings.
8. The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond - 14.62 Carats
The Oppenheimer Blue diamond ring features a 14.62-carat rectangular-cut fancy vivid blue diamond. While not the highest carat diamond ring in terms of size, its exceptional color and quality make it one of the most valuable diamonds per carat. This Type IIb diamond represents the extreme rarity of blue diamonds in nature.
- What makes the Oppenheimer Blue special:
- Blue diamonds account for less than 0.1% of all diamonds mined.
- Only 10% of blue diamonds are larger than one carat.
- Sold for $57.5 million at Christie's Geneva auction in 2016.
- Named after Sir Phillip Oppenheimer, owner of the Premier mine where it was found.
View more exceptional colored diamonds.
9. Jennifer Lopez's A-Rod Ring - 15-20 Carats
Jennifer Lopez has received several impressive engagement rings throughout her life, but the one from Alex Rodriguez stands out for its size and quality. Estimated between 15 and 20 carats, this emerald-cut diamond represents the modern pursuit of the highest carat diamond ring among celebrities. The ring features a stunning center stone set between two baguette diamonds.
- Details about J.Lo's impressive ring:
- Estimated value of $5 million when given in 2019.
- Part of Jennifer Lopez's collection of six engagement rings.
- Features impeccable clarity and color quality.
- Though the engagement ended, the ring remains one of her most striking pieces.
Read about Jennifer Lopez's collection of engagement rings.
10. Beyoncé's Engagement Ring - 18 Carats
Jay-Z proposed to Beyoncé with an 18-carat emerald-cut diamond ring designed by Lorraine Schwartz. This highest carat diamond ring features a split shank design and near-perfect clarity. While not the largest ring on our list, its quality and the fame of its owner make it one of the most recognized high-carat rings in the world.
- Key facts about Beyoncé's ring:
- Estimated value of $5 million at the time of proposal.
- Would be worth about $7.5 million in today's market.
- Features flawless emerald-cut diamond with exceptional clarity.
- Beyoncé reportedly only wears the ring on special occasions due to its value and size.
Explore more celebrity engagement ring stories.
Final Thoughts
The pursuit of the highest carat diamond ring continues to capture our imagination. From record-breaking auction pieces to celebrity engagement rings, these spectacular stones represent the peak of luxury and romance. While most people will never own a diamond of this size, understanding what makes these rings special helps us appreciate the artistry and natural beauty behind them. The highest carat diamond rings tell stories of love, history, and the incredible forces of nature that create these remarkable gems.