The Top 5 Most Expensive Diamonds Ever Sold
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The Top 5 Most Expensive Diamonds Ever Sold
Diamonds have always been a symbol of luxury and opulence, commanding sky-high prices at auctions around the world. From breathtaking hues to astonishing sizes, the most expensive diamonds are celebrated not only for their exceptional beauty but also for their intriguing histories. Here's a look at the top five most expensive diamonds ever sold, which have made headlines for their remarkable sales prices and the captivating stories behind them.
1. The Pink Star
The Pink Star, previously known as the Steinmetz Pink, holds the record for the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction. This stunning 59.60-carat vivid pink diamond was sold for an astounding $71.2 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in April 2017. The diamond is famed not only for its size but for its vibrant pink color, which is one of the rarest hues in diamonds.
2. The Oppenheimer Blue
Named after its previous owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer, The Oppenheimer Blue is one of the largest blue diamonds ever discovered. Weighing 14.62 carats, this diamond fetched $57.5 million at Christie’s Geneva in May 2016, setting a record price per carat for any jewel at the time. The gem’s stunning blue color and its historical significance make it one of the most coveted diamonds in the world.
3. The Cullinan Dream
Part of the legendary Cullinan family, The Cullinan Dream is a breathtaking 24.18-carat fancy intense blue diamond. It sold for $25.4 million at Christie’s New York in June 2016. The diamond is cut from a 122.52-carat blue diamond and is named after the mine where the original stone was discovered, emphasizing its storied provenance.
4. The Blue Moon of Josephine
This 12.03-carat cushion-shaped blue diamond, known as The Blue Moon of Josephine, was sold for $48.4 million at Sotheby's in November 2015. The diamond was bought by Hong Kong businessman Joseph Lau, who named it after his daughter, Josephine. This sale set a world record for the highest price per carat for any diamond sold at auction.
5. The Graff Pink
The Graff Pink, a rare 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond, was sold for $46.2 million at Sotheby's in November 2010. The diamond, which was once owned by American celebrity jeweler Harry Winston, was purchased by British billionaire Laurence Graff. This exquisite diamond is classified as one of the greatest pink diamonds ever discovered and is renowned for its perfect hue and spectacular potency of color.
These extraordinary diamonds not only fetched staggering prices but also tell tales of their journeys through time and the hands of various owners, each adding to their legacy. The allure of these stones lies not just in their physical characteristics but also in their ability to captivate the imaginations of people around the world, symbolizing the ultimate pursuit of beauty and rarity in the realm of fine jewelry. Whether you are a collector, an enthusiast, or simply an admirer, the stories of these magnificent gems remind us why diamonds continue to be so revered in cultures across the globe.
Diamonds have always been a symbol of luxury and opulence, commanding sky-high prices at auctions around the world. From breathtaking hues to astonishing sizes, the most expensive diamonds are celebrated not only for their exceptional beauty but also for their intriguing histories. Here's a look at the top five most expensive diamonds ever sold, which have made headlines for their remarkable sales prices and the captivating stories behind them.
1. The Pink Star
The Pink Star, previously known as the Steinmetz Pink, holds the record for the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction. This stunning 59.60-carat vivid pink diamond was sold for an astounding $71.2 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in April 2017. The diamond is famed not only for its size but for its vibrant pink color, which is one of the rarest hues in diamonds.
2. The Oppenheimer Blue
Named after its previous owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer, The Oppenheimer Blue is one of the largest blue diamonds ever discovered. Weighing 14.62 carats, this diamond fetched $57.5 million at Christie’s Geneva in May 2016, setting a record price per carat for any jewel at the time. The gem’s stunning blue color and its historical significance make it one of the most coveted diamonds in the world.
3. The Cullinan Dream
Part of the legendary Cullinan family, The Cullinan Dream is a breathtaking 24.18-carat fancy intense blue diamond. It sold for $25.4 million at Christie’s New York in June 2016. The diamond is cut from a 122.52-carat blue diamond and is named after the mine where the original stone was discovered, emphasizing its storied provenance.
4. The Blue Moon of Josephine
This 12.03-carat cushion-shaped blue diamond, known as The Blue Moon of Josephine, was sold for $48.4 million at Sotheby's in November 2015. The diamond was bought by Hong Kong businessman Joseph Lau, who named it after his daughter, Josephine. This sale set a world record for the highest price per carat for any diamond sold at auction.
5. The Graff Pink
The Graff Pink, a rare 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond, was sold for $46.2 million at Sotheby's in November 2010. The diamond, which was once owned by American celebrity jeweler Harry Winston, was purchased by British billionaire Laurence Graff. This exquisite diamond is classified as one of the greatest pink diamonds ever discovered and is renowned for its perfect hue and spectacular potency of color.
These extraordinary diamonds not only fetched staggering prices but also tell tales of their journeys through time and the hands of various owners, each adding to their legacy. The allure of these stones lies not just in their physical characteristics but also in their ability to captivate the imaginations of people around the world, symbolizing the ultimate pursuit of beauty and rarity in the realm of fine jewelry. Whether you are a collector, an enthusiast, or simply an admirer, the stories of these magnificent gems remind us why diamonds continue to be so revered in cultures across the globe.