en-us-Top 10 Most Expensive Diamonds in History: A Glittering Showcase of Rarity and Value

08/14/2023

Diamonds are one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world, coveted for their beauty, rarity, and durability. Over the centuries, many exceptional diamonds have been discovered, each with its own unique story and value. In this article, we will explore the top 10 most expensive diamonds in history and where they were found.


Pink Star Diamond. Credits: nbcnews
Pink Star Diamond. Credits: nbcnews
  • The Pink Star - South Africa The Pink Star is a 59.60-carat oval-shaped pink diamond that was discovered in South Africa in 1999. It was sold at auction in 2017 for a record-breaking $71.2 million, making it the most expensive diamond ever sold. The current owner of the Pink Star remains anonymous.
  • Oppenheimer Blue - South Africa The Oppenheimer Blue is a 14.62-carat blue diamond that was discovered in South Africa in 2015. It was named after its former owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer, a diamond dealer and member of the De Beers family. In 2016, it sold at auction for $50.6 million, making it the most expensive blue diamond ever sold.
  • The Winston Blue - Botswana The Winston Blue is a 13.22-carat pear-shaped blue diamond that was discovered in Botswana in 2014. It was sold at auction in 2014 for $23.8 million, making it the most expensive blue diamond ever sold at the time. The diamond was purchased by Harry Winston, the famous American jeweler and collector.
  • The Perfect Pink - South Africa The Perfect Pink is a 14.23-carat fancy intense pink diamond that was discovered in South Africa in 2010. It was sold at auction in 2010 for $23.2 million, setting a record for the most expensive pink diamond ever sold at the time. The diamond was purchased by an anonymous bidder.
  • The Blue Moon of Josephine - South Africa The Blue Moon of Josephine is a 12.03-carat cushion-shaped blue diamond that was discovered in South Africa in 2014. It was sold at auction in 2015 for $48.5 million, making it the most expensive diamond ever sold at the time. The diamond was purchased by Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau, who renamed it after his daughter.
  • The Graff Pink - South Africa The Graff Pink is a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that was discovered in South Africa in the 1940s. It was sold at auction in 2010 for $46 million, making it the most expensive pink diamond ever sold at the time. The diamond was purchased by Laurence Graff, a British billionaire and jewelry collector.
  • The Lesotho Promise - Lesotho The Lesotho Promise is a 603-carat white diamond that was discovered in Lesotho in 2006. It was the 15th-largest diamond ever discovered at the time. It was cut into 26 individual stones, including a 75.36-carat diamond that sold at auction in 2008 for $12.4 million.
  • The Archduke Joseph - India The Archduke Joseph is a 76.45-carat cushion-shaped white diamond that was discovered in India in the 19th century. It was named after its former owner, Archduke Joseph August of Austria, and has a rich history of ownership by various European royals. In 2012, it sold at auction for $21.5 million.
  • The Moussaieff Red - Brazil The Moussaieff Red is a 5.11-carat triangular-cut red diamond, which was discovered in Brazil in the 1990s. The exact location of the mine where it was found is unknown. The diamond was initially owned by a Brazilian farmer and later sold to William Goldberg, a diamond dealer based in New York. In 2001, the Moussaieff Jewellers purchased the diamond and renamed it the Moussaieff Red.
  • The Allnatt - South Africa The Allnatt is a 101.29-carat cushion-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond, named after its former owner, Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt. It was discovered in the Premier Diamond Mine in South Africa in 1953. The diamond was sold at auction in 1996 for $3 million and later purchased by the SIBA Corporation. The Allnatt has been exhibited in various museums and galleries around the world, including the Natural History Museum in London and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.