Top 10 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World (2022)

Must be wondering why diamonds are so expensive. The reason is not far-fetched however as diamonds are one of the natural precious stones gifted to the earth. And asides from having the most expensive diamonds in the world, all quality diamonds acquired regardless of price can serve purposes of inheritance from generation down to generation and even serve as generations’ source of wealth.

Nonetheless, it is true that quality diamonds are not usually come by easily. And this means, diamonds are not all that rare to find, but 30% of them are quality and actually serve the purposes of a true diamond.

There are absolutely quite a number of factors as to why diamonds have to be extraordinarily expensive. One factor is already mentioned above, another factor is the 4 Cs. And What are the 4 Cs? The 4 Cs simply means Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Colour. Extensively, extracting diamonds can be quite tasking and complicated because, after extracting the raw, the diamond requires cutting, polishing, clarity, colour, and more before it can be sold. And the higher the 4 Cs in the production of a diamond, the higher the price. Considering that all these processes are not little or effortless, they are a great deal, we should agree that the prices are all worth it.

Graphical Representation of the Most Expensive Diamonds’ Worth

Before going further, another factor is the name some brands have successfully made for themselves over the years, also, their demand rate, and the influences they have. This is because brands that happen to have made a name over the years tend to be questioned less by the public and they just want to accept whatever price they are selling their products as they are believed to be worth it. All of the above-mentioned factors and more are the reasons for the luxurious prices of diamonds. Without further ado, below are the most expensive diamonds in the world and their worth.

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Most Expensive Diamonds in the World

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1. Koh-I-Noor – Priceless

Most Expensive Diamond in the World

Kor-I-Noor is also referred to as the mountain of light and the diamond Babur. Even though it is colourless, it is the most expensive diamond in the world. Britain acquired the stone in 1850, and in 1852, Prince Albert had it cut from 186ct to 105.6ct to increase its brilliance and glitter.

However, it is now part of the British Crown Jewels. And as the central stone of the Queen Mother’s crown, the Koh-I-Noor diamond is viewed by visitors in the Tower of London every year.

2. The Cullinan Diamond – $400 Million+

The Cullinan Diamond is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found in the history of Diamonds as it originally weighs up to 3,106.75ct. This colourless diamond was found in Cullinan, South Africa in 1905, and it was named after the chairman of the mine it was founded. After then, it was gifted to King Edward VII.

Later on, it was cut into 9 major stones, which resulted in a total of 1,055.89ct and 96 unpolished elements and minor gemstones. It is now the second most expensive diamond in the world.

The Cullinan I, also referred to as the Great Star of Africa, is the largest gem in the world. Weighing up to 530 carats, it is also the biggest clear-cut diamond in the world. Meanwhile, this diamond is owned by Queen Elizabeth II. It is mounted on the sovereign’s spectre, and it can be seen in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.

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3. The Hope Diamond – $250 Million

The Hope Diamond is one of the most expensive diamonds in the world and has a rare blue colour due to traces of boron. It was said to have been discovered in India in the 1600s and bought by King Louis XIV in 1668. In 1791, it was reported stolen during a crown jewel loot but was later seen again in London in 1839.

In 1949, Harry Winston purchased it and donated it to the Smithsonian Institution, and it ended up attracting tourists from all around the world. Since then, it has been on display at the museum branch of the institution.

The stone weighs up to 45.52 carats. And it is said to be worth up to $250 million.

4. De Beers Centenary Diamond – $100 Million+

De Beers Centenary Diamond is a colourless 273.85ct gemstone. It is the third-largest diamond after the Cullinan I and II found in the Premier Mine. This diamond was originally 599 carats before it was cut into a heart shape by Gabi Tolkowsky and his team. However, it took the team a total of 154 days for their highly-skilled team to finish the re-cutting process. It is insured by De Beers for over $100 million+. And as one of the most expensive diamonds in the world, it costs over $100 million.

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5. CTF Pink Star Diamond – $71.2 Million

CTF Pink Star Diamond is one of the most expensive diamonds in the world, and the largest diamond to have been graded a Fancy Vivid Pink. It was discovered in 1999 in one of the De Beers South African diamond mines as a rough stone. It was then bought by the Steinmetz Group. At the time, it weighed 59.6 carats, but it was later cut by 8 polishers for over 20 months. After then, it was renamed CTF Pink Star by Dr Henry Cheng Kar-Shun, chairman of Jeweler Chow Tai Fook.

This diamond is naturally coloured, graded Fancy Vivid Pink and is internally flawless.

6. The Regent Diamond – $61 Million

The Regent Diamond is a 140.64-carat cushion-shaped gemstone and is internally flawless. This diamond was said to have been found by a slave in the Kollur Mine in India. He hid the diamond but was unfortunately killed and robbed by an English Sea Captain. The Sea Captain sold it to an Indian Merchant who later on sold it to Thomas Pitt, the British governor of Madras and named it the Pitt Diamond.

In 1717, the French Regent, Philippe II Duke of Orleans bought the diamond. Then in 1722, it was used to adorn the crown of Louis XV during his coronation. Afterwards, it was used to decorate one of Marie Antoinette’s hats. However, it is now one of the most expensive diamonds in the world, with its cost estimated at $61 million.

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7. The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond – $57.5 Million

Asides from the Oppenheimer Blue Diamond ring being one of the most expensive diamonds in the world, it broke a record for the highest amount ever gained by a jewel by auction (that was in 2016). Come 2017, the record was broken by the Pink Star Diamond.

This vivid blue diamond weighs 14.62 carats, and the large rectangular-shaped diamond has an emerald cut set in a platinum ring. Also, it was named after its previous owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer.

8. The Blue Moon of Josephine – $48.4 Million

The Blue Moon of Josephine diamond ring is a 12.03 carats blue diamond and one of the most expensive blue diamonds in the world. It was found in January 2014 at the Cullinan Mine in South Africa. And in 2015, it was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva for $48.4 million, making it undoubtedly, one of the most expensive diamonds in history.

It was originally named the Blue Moon Diamond but was renamed the Blue Moon of Josephine by the buyer. The buyer’s name is Joseph Lau Luen Hung, an Hong Kong businessman. He was said to have named the diamond after his daughter, Josephine.

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9. The Graff Pink Diamond – $46.2 Million

The Graff Pink Diamond ring is a 24.78-carat vivid pink diamond and has emerged as one of the most expensive diamonds in the world. This diamond was named after Laurence Graff who bought it at the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels Sale in Geneva in 2010.

The Graff Pink Diamond was owned by an American Jeweler, Harry Winston, who made the emerald-cut diamond mounted in a ring. But when Graff got the diamond, she had 25 small natural faults removed from the ring, and the carat size was reduced to 23.88. This also changed the colour from intense to vivid and its clarity to internal flawlessness.

10. The Princie – $39.3 Million

The Princie Diamond ring is one of the most expensive diamonds in the world and it weighs up to 36.65 carats. It was discovered in the Golconda Mines in India and it is graded as a fancy intense pink diamond. The Princie Diamond ring was named after Sayajirao Gaekwad, the son of Sita Devi, Maharanee of Baroda. But was later sold at Christie’s in New York to an anonymous phone bidder.

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Top 10 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World: 2022 list

Here is a summary of the list of the most expensive diamonds in the world in 2022:

• Koh-I-Noor – Priceless
• The Cullinan Diamond – $400 million+
• The Hope Diamond – $250 million
• De Beers Cementary Diamond – $100 million
• CTF Pink Star Diamond – $71.2 million
• The Regent Diamond – $61 million
• The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond – $57.5 million
• The Blue Moon of Josephine – $48.4 million
• The Graff Pink Diamond – $46.2 million
• The Princie – $39.3 million

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What is the Most Expensive Diamond in the World?

Kor-I-Noor is the most expensive diamond in the world. It is also referred to as the mountain of light and the diamond Babur. Britain acquired the stone in 1850, and in 1852, Prince Albert had it cut from 186ct to 105.6ct to increase its brilliance and glitter. It is now part of the British Crown Jewels, and as the central stone of the Queen Mother’s crown, the Koh-I-Noor diamond is viewed by visitors in the Tower of London every year.