What is the most expensive diamond in the world? Here are the top 10

Diamonds are one of those gemstones that turn heads. The finest specimens fetch astronomical values. What is the most expensive diamond in the world ? You might get different answers, as it all depends on how you look at it. The most expensive diamond in terms of rough value, price per carat? The most expensive one that has sold, or with the highest estimate?

The 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 four prominent Indian rulers, as well as Mughal leaders, who left their mark on Indian history. Following the country's colonization, the diamond made its way to Great Britain , where it remains 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 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II .

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Price of Koh-I-Noor, the world's most expensive diamond

No official appraisal of the Crown Jewels has been carried out since 1895 for security reasons. The Crown Jewels are known to have an estimated value of over €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 accurate estimate, because ultimately the price of a diamond is the amount a person is willing to pay for it.

The world's most expensive diamond per carat in 2023

Now let's look at diamonds that have an established value . That is, those that 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). Weighing 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 diamond.

The world's most expensive diamond in 2023 based on the price paid

The De Beers Centenary Diamond sold for $100 million. This massive diamond, weighing over 270 carats, came from South Africa. The buyer remains anonymous to this day. As of 2023, it will be the most expensive diamond in the world based on the price paid.

Top 10 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World

1. Koh-I-Noor: its price would be 800 to 1 billion euros
2. The Cullinan : This diamond in 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 over 530 carats!
3. The Hope : This 45.52-carat blue diamond once belonged to King Louis XIV. Worth around 300 million euros, it is now housed in the Smithsonian Museum.
4. De Beers Centenary Diamond: 100 million
5. The Pink Star : This almost 60-carat pink diamond sold for $71.2 million in 2017. It is in fact the Steinmetz Pink diamond, renamed by its Asian buyer.
6. The Williamson Pink Star: 57.7 million
7. The Oppenheimer Blue : 57.5 million
8. Graff Lesedi La Rona: 53 million
9. The Prince: 39.3 million
10. The Winston Blue: $23.8 million