What is the most expensive diamond in the world? Here are the top 10
Diamond is one of the gemstones that turns heads. The most beautiful specimens reach astronomical values. What is the most expensive diamond in the world ? You may have different answers, because it all depends on the angle from which you approach the question. The most expensive diamond in rough value, in price per carat? The most expensive that has sold, or with the highest estimate?
Koh-I-Noor: the most expensive diamond in the world
Let's start by talking about the Koh-I-Noor , the diamond with the highest intrinsic value on the planet , according to experts. However, it is not possible to know the true price of this most expensive diamond in the world . Because it has not been appraised for a long time, given the security problems that such an operation could generate.
The stone was discovered in the Golconda region of India in the 13th century. It was owned by 4 powerful Indian men, as well as Mughal leaders who left their mark on the history of India. Following the colonization of the country, the diamond made its way to Great Britain , where it is still found today.
The Koh-I-Noor has become legendary under many different names throughout its history. This jewel of Nuristan became famous as Koh-I-Noor when Prime Minister Duleep Singh presented it to Queen Victoria in 1850 during a visit to England.
The Koh-I-Noor diamond weighs 105 carats . It has an oval shape (star cut) and a pale yellow color. It is currently set in the crown that was specially designed for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
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Price of Koh-I-Noor, the most expensive diamond in the world
No official valuation of the Crown Jewels has been carried out since 1895 due to security reasons. The Crown Jewels are known to be worth an estimated €10 billion. The Koh-I-Noor could sell for hundreds of millions to a billion dollars , according to experts. Unfortunately, it is impossible to know an exact estimate, because in the end the price of a diamond is the amount a person is willing to pay to own it.
The world's most expensive diamond per carat in 2023
Now let's look at diamonds that have an established value . That is, they have been the subject of a transaction that allows them to be truly associated with a price tag.
In October 2022, the Williamson Pink Star diamond sold for a whopping $49.9 million (over $57.7 million with fees). At 11.15 carats, this means it sold for $4.475 million per carat . This makes it the world’s most expensive diamond per carat in 2023. The previous record was held by the Oppenheimer Blue, which sold for $3.5 million per carat.
The Williamson Pink Star was discovered in Tanzania. It is one of the purest and most saturated pink diamonds in the world. It was obtained after cutting a 32.32 carat rough.
The most expensive diamond in the world in 2023 based on the price paid
The De Beers Centenary Diamond sold for $100 million. This massive diamond of over 270 carats comes from South Africa. The buyer remains anonymous to this day. As of 2023, it is the most expensive diamond in the world based on the price paid.
Top 10 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World
- Koh-I-Noor: its price would be 800 to 1 billion euros
- The Cullinan : This diamond from the British Crown Jewels also has an estimated value of several hundred million euros. It is the largest cut diamond in the world: it weighs more than 530 carats!
- The Hope : This 45.52-carat blue diamond once belonged to King Louis XIV. Worth around 300 million euros, it is now in the Smithsonian Museum
- De Beers Centenary Diamond: 100 million
- The Pink Star : This pink diamond of almost 60 carats found a buyer for 71.2 million dollars in 2017. It is in fact the Steinmetz Pink diamond, renamed by its Asian buyer.
- The Williamson Pink Star: 57.7 million
- The Oppenheimer Blue : 57.5 million
- Graff Lesedi La Rona: 53 million
- The Prince: 39.3 million
- The Winston Blue: $23.8 million
