Admiring the Most Expensive Diamonds on the Planet

The most expensive diamonds on Earth listed in this article even include some that seem priceless.

Since ancient times, diamonds have always been a cherished form of jewelry. Hindus believe that diamonds are formed when lightning strikes stones. Meanwhile, ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were “tears of the gods.” Ancient Romans thought that diamonds were “fragments” of fallen stars that had come to Earth.

In the 15th century, diamonds symbolized enduring strength, derived from the Greek word “diamond,” meaning “indestructible.”

In modern times, diamonds have become more romanticized. This precious jewel represents things that must always be celebrated, such as the beauty of women and love. Each diamond is meticulously cut to enhance its undeniable beauty. However, the world contains many types of diamonds with varying values.

14. Allnatt Diamond

With its radiant yellow color, the Allnatt Diamond is classified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as a Fancy Vivid Yellow. This diamond weighs 101.29 carats (approximately 20.258 grams).

The diamond is named after its first owner, Alfred Ernest Allnatt, a well-known British philanthropist and businessman. The exact origin of the diamond is unclear, but many experts believe it comes from the De Beers Premier mine in South Africa, as it shares many characteristics with diamonds mined from there.

Value: $3 million

13. Moussaieff Red Diamond

This is a rare red diamond among the many colored diamonds in the world. Red diamonds are rarely classified as Fancy Red. However, the Moussaieff stands out with its pure red color, free from any other hues, known as the famous Fancy Red diamond.

The initial name of this diamond was Red Shield. Weighing 5.11 carats (approximately 1.002 grams), it is currently the largest red diamond known. Moussaieff Jewelers purchased this diamond in 2012 for $8 million. The Moussaieff Red Diamond was discovered in 1990 by a farmer named Alto Paranaiba in Brazil.

Value: $8 million

12. Sancy Diamond

The “Sancy” diamond is centuries old, passed down through many generations of European royalty. It is believed to have originally belonged to the Great Moghuls dynasty of Mongolia, although its true origins may trace back to India.

Weighing 55.23 carats (11.05g), Sancy has a light yellow color and is the first diamond to be cut with symmetrical facets. In a May 2012 auction, this diamond was sold for $9.7 million.

Value: $9.7 million

11. The Heart of Eternity Diamond

With its captivating sky-blue hue, The Heart of Eternity is one of the rarest colored diamonds in the world. This diamond was discovered at the Premier diamond mine in South Africa, the only mine in the world that produces blue diamonds.

The Heart of Eternity is currently owned by the Steinmetz Group. The diamond’s color is rated at Fancy Vivid Blue. Later, the Steinmetz Group sold the diamond to the De Beers Group and subsequently to a well-known Indian author, critic, and artist.

Value: $16 million

10. Archduke Joseph Diamond

The Archduke Joseph diamond is famous for both its origin and ownership. This diamond weighs 76 carats (approximately 15.2 grams) and was sold at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction for $21.5 million, setting a record price for a colorless diamond.

The Archduke Joseph diamond was discovered in the Golconda region of India, one of the oldest diamond mining areas in the world.

Value: $21.5 million

9. Perfect Pink Diamond

Weighing 14.23 carats (approximately 2.846 grams), the Perfect Pink diamond was sold at Christie’s auction in Hong Kong for $23 million, marking a record price in a jewelry auction.

According to Christie’s auction house, in its 244-year auction history, only 18 diamonds larger than 10 carats (pure pink) have been sold at their auctions. Diamond enthusiasts regard pink diamonds as one of the most perfect gemstones.

Value: $23 million

8. Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond

Weighing approximately 31.06 carats (approximately 6.212 grams), the Wittelsbach-Graff diamond is a piece of jewelry fit for nobility and royalty.

The history of the Wittelsbach-Graff dates back to the 17th century and is directly linked to King Philip IV of Spain. King Philip chose the Wittelsbach-Graff diamond as part of his daughter’s dowry.

This diamond was purchased by Laurence Graff, a British jeweler, in 2008. At that time, the diamond was called the der Blaue Wittelsbach. After acquiring the diamond, Graff hired a diamond cutter to remove all impurities and renamed it the Wittelsbach-Graff.

Value: $24.3 million

7. Steinmetz Pink Diamond

The Steinmetz Pink is the purest and finest pink diamond in the world. This diamond first appeared on the necklace of supermodel Helena Christensen at the Monaco Fashion Show in 2003, but it quickly changed hands thereafter.

Discovered in South Africa, the Steinmetz Pink is classified as Fancy Vivid Pink and is the largest Fancy Vivid Pink diamond in the world. Typically, pink diamonds are quite small, but the Steinmetz Pink is a rare exception. This diamond weighs 59.60 carats (approximately 11.92 grams) and a team of 8 gem cutters took nearly 20 months to complete its cutting.

Value: $25 million

6. Princie Diamond

The Princie Diamond is renowned for its rarity. Weighing 34.65 carats (approximately 6.93 grams), the diamond is classified as Fancy Intense Pink. It originates from the ancient Golconda diamond mines in central southern India and is associated with the royal family of Hyderabad.

In 1960, the diamond was sold to a branch of the Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry company in London, United Kingdom.

Value: $40 million

5. Graff Pink Diamond

The Graff Pink continues to be another stunning example of pink diamonds. This diamond weighs 24.78 carats (approximately 4.95 grams).

The original owner of the Graff Pink was the famous jeweler Harry Winston. It was carefully kept in his collection for over 60 years. GIA classifies the Graff Pink as Type IIa, meaning it is completely free of impurities, nitrogen, and fluorescence.

Value: $46 million

4. De Beers Centenary Diamond

Valued at $100 million, the De Beers Centenary Diamond is a completely flawless, colorless diamond discovered in a mine in South Africa in 1986. However, it was not publicly announced until two years later, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the De Beers diamond mining company. First unveiled in its raw form in 1988 at a weight of 599 carats, it appeared in a heart shape by February 1991, weighing 273.85 carats.

The current owner of the De Beers Centenary Diamond remains a mystery.

Value: $100 million

3. Hope Diamond

Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a French traveler, purchased a 112-carat diamond known as Hope. It is widely believed that this gemstone was also mined in the Golconda mines, where the Koh-i-Noor diamond originated. Tavernier sold the Hope to King Louis XIV of France. Dubbed the “Blue Diamond of the Crown,” it was stolen in 1792 and reappeared in London in 1812. After changing hands multiple times, the famous diamond was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution in the United States in 1958.

The Hope Diamond is a rare and magnificent gemstone. It has a violet-blue hue, weighs 45.52 carats (approximately 9.104 grams), and is one of the most famous diamonds in the world.

The Hope Diamond has a particularly intriguing legend called the Curse of the Hope Diamond.

Value: $350 million

2. Cullinan Diamond

Ranked second on the list is the Cullinan, a pear-shaped diamond weighing an astonishing 530.2 carats (106.4 grams). Mined in South Africa in 1905, the Cullinan originally weighed 3,106 carats, making it the largest rough diamond ever discovered. However, the Cullinan was cut into 105 gemstones of various shapes and weights. The diamond is named after it being the largest of the nine stones cut from the Cullinan diamond mass.

The largest piece, known as Cullinan I, weighs 530.20 carats and is the largest clear cut diamond in the world. It is associated with King Charles III. Cullinan II, weighing 317.40 carats, is part of the Royal Crown and is referred to as the “Star of Africa.”

Value: $400 million

1. Koh-I-Noor Diamond

The name Koh-I-Noor in Persian means “Mountain of Light.” According to legend, whoever possesses the Koh-I-Noor will be able to rule the world. This diamond weighs 105 carats (approximately 21 grams) and was once regarded as one of the largest diamonds in the world.

Various legends suggest that the Koh-I-Noor predates the birth of Christ. Some experts speculate that it first appeared in the early 1300s, while others assert that it came to light in 1526 when the conqueror Babur discovered it in the newly conquered lands of India.

After centuries of changing hands among various owners, the Koh-I-Noor has belonged to the British royal family since the 19th century. The gemstone adorned the crown of the late Queen Elizabeth, making its last public appearance in 2002.

The value of this diamond is priceless, as there is no standard measure to quantify it.

Value: Priceless

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