The world costly diamond is a subject that fascinates gem lovers and historians alike. These world costly diamond gems represent the peak of natural beauty and human craftsmanship. When we talk about the world costly diamond, we enter a space where geology, history, and extreme wealth meet. The search for the next world costly diamond continues to drive explorers and collectors. This world costly diamond guide will show you the most amazing examples ever found.
Diamonds form about 500 kilometers below the Earth's surface under huge pressure and heat. This process can take over 3 billion years. The most valuable ones combine perfect color, clarity, and size with a rich history. Some world costly diamond pieces have passed through royal families and survived wars. Others have set records at auctions that may never be broken.
In this article, we will dig in to the top 10 world costly diamond gems. We will look at what makes each one special. You will learn about their origins, their journeys through time, and their mind-boggling values. Get ready to discover stones that are worth more than many people make in a lifetime.
1. The Koh-i-Noor: The Priceless Mountain of Light
The Koh-i-Noor diamond stands as perhaps the most famous world costly diamond. Its name means 'Mountain of Light' in Persian. This oval brilliant cut diamond weighs 105.6 carats. Many consider it priceless because it has never been sold, only traded or taken as spoils of war.
The Long and Winding History
- The diamond's early history is unclear, but it was likely mined in India's Golconda region centuries ago.
- It passed through various Indian and Persian rulers before ending up with the British monarchy in 1850.
- Today, it forms the centerpiece of the Queen Mother's Crown in the British Crown Jewels.
The Controversy and Curse
- Several countries, including India, have claimed ownership of the diamond, leading to ongoing disputes.
- A legend says the diamond brings bad luck to any male who wears it, which is why only women in the British royal family have worn it since it came to England.
Learn more about this legendary stone in this detailed look at the most expensive diamonds.
2. The Cullinan Diamond: The Largest Rough Gem Ever Found
The Cullinan diamond holds the record as the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever discovered. Found in South Africa in 1905, it originally weighed a staggering 3,106.75 carats. Its estimated value today would be over $400 million.
From Rough Stone to Royal Gems
- The massive diamond was cut into 105 separate stones of various sizes.
- The nine largest pieces remain part of the British Crown Jewels.
- The cutting process took months and required special tools and great skill.
The Star of Africa and Its Siblings
- Cullinan I, also called the Great Star of Africa, weighs 530.2 carats and decorates the Sovereign's Sceptre.
- Cullinan II, the Lesser Star of Africa, weighs 317.4 carats and sits in the Imperial State Crown.
- The remaining major stones form part of the late Queen Elizabeth II's personal jewelry collection.
Discover more about this incredible diamond in this overview of world famous diamonds.
3. The Hope Diamond: The Cursed Blue Beauty
The Hope Diamond is one of the most recognizable world costly diamond gems. This 45.52-carat fancy dark gray-blue diamond has a history filled with mystery and alleged curses. Its current estimated value is between $200-$350 million.
A Color Like No Other
- The diamond's unique blue color comes from trace amounts of boron in its crystal structure.
- Under ultraviolet light, it glows a bright red color for several minutes.
- The antique cushion cut gives it a distinct appearance among famous diamonds.
The Tragic History
- The diamond was likely mined in India's Kollur Mine in the 17th century.
- It passed through French royalty before being stolen during the French Revolution.
- Many of its owners experienced misfortune, leading to stories of a curse.
- Since 1958, it has been on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Read more about blue diamonds in this collection of expensive diamond information.
4. The Pink Star: Record-Breaking Auction Beauty
The Pink Star diamond holds the record for the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction. In 2017, it fetched $71.2 million at a Sotheby's Hong Kong auction. This 59.60-carat oval brilliant cut diamond represents the peak of pink diamond perfection.
Exceptional Quality and Rarity
- The Pink Star is graded as a fancy vivid pink diamond, the highest color grade possible.
- It has internally flawless clarity, meaning no visible imperfections under 10x magnification.
- As a Type IIa diamond, it has no measurable impurities, a category representing less than 2% of all diamonds.
From Mine to Masterpiece
- The rough diamond was mined by De Beers in Africa in 1999, weighing 132.5 carats.
- The Steinmetz Group spent over two years cutting and polishing it to perfection.
- Hong Kong jewelry company Chow Tai Fook purchased it and renamed it the CTF Pink Star.
See more stunning pink diamonds in this look at expensive diamond rings.
5. The De Beers Centenary Diamond: The Flawless Marvel
The De Beers Centenary Diamond is a modern marvel of the diamond world. Discovered in 1986 in South Africa's Premier Mine, this stone was insured for $100 million in 1991. Its current whereabouts are unknown, adding to its mystery.
Perfect in Every Way
- The diamond boasts a D color grade, the highest possible for a colorless diamond.
- It has flawless clarity, meaning no internal or external imperfections.
- The modified heart-shaped brilliant cut weighs 273.85 carats.
- It features 247 facets, significantly more than the standard 57-58 facets of most brilliant cuts.
A Century in the Making
- The diamond was revealed in 1988 during De Beers' 100th-anniversary celebrations.
- The cutting process took 154 days and required a specially designed underground room to prevent vibrations.
- The diamond was last publicly displayed in 1999 at the Tower of London.
Find more examples of perfect diamonds in this educational diamond resource.
6. The Oppenheimer Blue: Vivid Blue Perfection
The Oppenheimer Blue diamond sold for $57.5 million at a 2016 Christie's auction. This 14.62-carat rectangular-cut fancy vivid blue diamond represents the rarity of large blue diamonds. Only 10% of blue diamonds weigh more than one carat.
Exceptional Blue Hue
- The diamond is classified as a Type IIb diamond, containing boron that gives it its blue color.
- It has a VVS1 clarity grade, meaning very, very slightly included.
- The step-cut emerald shape showcases the diamond's perfect color and clarity.
Royal Connections
- The diamond is named after Sir Philip Oppenheimer, whose family once controlled De Beers.
- It was mined at the Premier Mine in South Africa, source of many famous diamonds.
- At the time of its sale, it was the largest fancy vivid blue diamond ever sold at auction.
Explore more blue diamond wonders in this luxury diamond collection.
7. The Moussaieff Red: The Rarest of Them All
The Moussaieff Red is arguably the rarest of all world costly diamond gems. This 5.11-carat triangular brilliant-cut fancy red diamond is the largest natural red diamond graded by the GIA. Red diamonds are so rare that only a handful have ever been found.
Unmatched Rarity
- True red diamonds without secondary colors are the rarest of all colored diamonds.
- The Moussaieff Red is graded internally flawless.
- Its trilliant cut maximizes both color saturation and light return.
From Brazil to Prominence
- The diamond was discovered in Brazil in the 1990s.
- It was originally known as the Red Shield before being renamed after its owners.
- It has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution as one of the eight most incredible diamonds in the world.
Learn about other rare colored diamonds in this comprehensive diamond guide.
8. The Graff Pink: Transformed Beauty
The Graff Pink diamond sold for $46 million at a Sotheby's auction in 2010. This 24.78-carat emerald-cut fancy intense pink diamond underwent a remarkable transformation that increased both its value and beauty.
The Art of Recutting
- After purchase, Laurence Graff had the diamond recut to remove imperfections.
- The process reduced the diamond to 23.88 carats but improved its clarity to internally flawless.
- The color also improved from fancy intense pink to fancy vivid pink, the highest grade.
Hidden History
- Before the 2010 auction, the diamond hadn't been seen publicly for over 60 years.
- It was previously owned by Harry Winston, who sold it in the 1950s.
- The diamond's history between the 1950s and 2010 remains largely unknown.
Discover more about diamond transformation in this real estate and luxury journal.
9. The Blue Moon of Josephine: A Father's Gift
The Blue Moon of Josephine diamond sold for $48.4 million in 2015, setting a record at the time. This 12.03-carat cushion-cut fancy vivid blue diamond with flawless clarity was purchased by Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau for his seven-year-old daughter.
Perfect Proportions
- The diamond has flawless clarity, meaning no internal or external imperfections.
- Its fancy vivid blue color represents the most saturated blue possible.
- The cushion cut maximizes both color presentation and brilliance.
Modern Diamond History
- The rough diamond was discovered in January 2014 at the Premier Mine in South Africa.
- It was cut and polished the same year it was mined.
- At the time of sale, it set the record for the highest price per carat for any gemstone.
Read about other record-breaking diamonds in this lifestyle and luxury feature.
10. The Sancy Diamond: A Historical Treasure
The Sancy Diamond is one of the most historically significant world costly diamond gems. This 55.23-carat pale yellow shield-shaped diamond has been owned by multiple royal families across Europe. Its current value is estimated at over $6 million.
Royal Pedigree
- The diamond has been owned by Portuguese, French, and English royalty.
- It was once part of the French Crown Jewels before being stolen during the French Revolution.
- The Astor family owned it for much of the 20th century before donating it to the Louvre.
Unique Characteristics
- The Sancy lacks a pavilion, meaning both sides of the diamond are faceted.
- Its shield modified cut was innovative for its time.
- Unlike most historical diamonds, it has never been recut, preserving its original form.
Explore more historical diamonds in this diamond education resource.
What Makes a World Costly Diamond?
The value of these extraordinary gems comes from a combination of factors. While the traditional 4 Cs—carat, cut, color, and clarity—provide a foundation, other elements contribute significantly to making a world costly diamond.
The 4 Cs Explained
- Carat weight measures a diamond's size, with larger diamonds being exponentially rarer.
- Cut quality affects how well a diamond reflects light and sparkles.
- Color grades range from colorless (most valuable for white diamonds) to strongly colored (most valuable for fancy colors).
- Clarity measures the absence of internal imperfections and surface blemishes.
Beyond the Basics
- Provenance and history can dramatically increase a diamond's value, especially if connected to famous figures.
- Diamond type (Type I, Type IIa, Type IIb) affects both color and structural purity.
- Market demand for specific colors or sizes can cause prices to surge.
- Rarity of certain colors, like red or blue, makes those diamonds particularly valuable.
The Future of World Costly Diamond Discoveries
As existing diamond mines age and new discoveries become less common, the world costly diamond market continues to evolve. The next record-breaking diamond might be waiting deep underground or might have already been found but not yet revealed to the public. What remains constant is humanity's fascination with these natural wonders that combine geological奇迹 with human history in such a compelling way.