Natural diamonds rank among the most sought-after gems in the world. The rarest diamonds are blue, pink and red in color and come with a hefty price. At Rare Carat, the best place to find diamonds of the highest quality. Rare Carats offers you the best deals in the market which makes the best place to buy diamonds. Here you can find the best yellow gold halo engagement rings for your fiancée to make her feel your love and commitment to the relationship. That said, let’s explore the most expensive diamonds in the world.
1. Kohinoor Diamond
This diamond is considered the most expensive diamond ever due to its uniqueness and brilliance which made it to be given priceless status. The original Kohinoor diamond weighed 793 carats but has been trimmed into its present shape and weight of 105.6 carats.
The diamond has a long history that traces it back to the Kakatiya dynasty in India (11th to 12th). It changed hands between the Mughals, Indians and the British. The diamond has been in possession of the British Monarch since the 19th century. The diamond was last displayed in public back in 2002 atop the coffin of the Queen Mother.
2. The Cullinan Diamond
This is the second most expensive diamond in the world. The Cullinan diamond was extracted in South Africa in 1905 and weighed 3,106 carats making it the biggest raw diamond in the world. The diamond has been cut into 105 gems of various weights and shapes. The Cullinan diamond has a market value of over $400 million.
The diamond is one the most unique diamonds in the world and is currently divided into 9 large pieces with an estimated weight of 1055 carats, besides other cuts. The largest piece famously known as the Cullinan I weighs 530.20 carats thus taking the number one position in the world for the largest clear-cut diamonds.
3. The Hope Diamond
The diamond is believed to have been extracted from the Golconda mine in India in the 1600s. The original diamond weighed 112 carats and was purchased by French traveller Jean Baptiste Tavernier who sold it to King Louis XIV in 1668. The diamond was stolen in 1791 during a crown jewel loot. The Hope diamond surfaced in London after 50 years. In 1949, the diamond was purchased by Harry Winston who later donated it to the Smithsonian Institution. The Hope diamond has been rumoured to be cursed due to tragedy that befell many of the previous owners. The Hope diamond is publically displayed at the Smithsonian Institute. The current Hope Diamond weighs 45 carats and has a market value of $350 million.
4. The De Beers Centenary Diamond
This 599 carats diamond is considered as one of the largest top-color diamonds in the world. It was discovered and mined from the Premier Mine in South Africa in 1986. The De Beers Centenary diamond was unveiled during the 100th anniversary of De Beers thus deriving its name – Centenary. The diamond has been trimmed into a heart-shaped gem that weighs 273.85 carats. Its colour has been certified by GIA as D meaning it rank among the best colorless diamond with flawless both internal and external clarity. The De Beers Centenary diamond is valued at a market value of $100 million.
5. CTF Pink Star Diamond
This internally flawless diamond was mined in South Africa by the De Beers Diamond Company in 1999. It originally weighed 132.5 carats and took professionals over 2 years to trim it into a 59.60-carat gem. It made its first public appearance in Monaco in 2003. The diamond was sold to Chow Tai Fook Jewelry Company in 2017 for $71.2 million at a Hong Kong auction.
6. The Regent Diamond
This diamond was found in 1698 at Kollur Mine in India by an enslaved person. The 140.64-carat gem is internally flawless and is cushion-shaped. The diamond was purchased by Philippe II, Duke of Orleans, the French Regent in 1717. The Regent Diamond was used during the coronation of Louis XV in 1722. This diamond has a market value of $61 million.
7. Williamson Pink Star
This diamond was sold in 2022 for $57.7 at Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong. Williamson Pink Star is a cushion-shaped diamond weighing 11.15 carats. It is ranked as the second most valuable jewel in the world sold at an auction. The diamond was sold at a price of $5 million per carat thus surpassing the record of $2.6 million per carat set by the Winston Pink Legacy diamond in 2018.
