The most expensive diamond in the world

Diamonds spark the imagination. They are a key element of pop culture, featured in movies and songs, have become a symbol of love, and are the standard gemstone adorning engagement rings. Diamonds were adored by Marylin Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, and have graced the necklines of Lady Gaga and Kate Winslet. A woman wearing diamonds needs no elaborate gown. The most expensive diamond in the world was divided and cut into many brilliant stones, the largest of which adorn the regalia of the British monarchy.

What makes the world’s most expensive diamond stand out?

It’s hard to say whether the world’s most expensive diamond is the priceless, largest one that’s not for sale. Or perhaps it’s the rare blue or pink diamonds, those extraordinary stones fetching staggering sums at auctions, that truly deserve this title?

The common, distinctive features of the world’s most extraordinary and expensive diamonds, such as The Cullinan, Pink Eternal, and Diamond Blue Royal, are actually easy to identify.

• Size: They have an impressive mass and are often considered among the largest gems in the world.
• Clarity: They are distinguished by exceptional transparency and absence of flaws.
• Color: Their natural color is intense and unique, often standing out from typical diamond shades.
• History and Origin: These diamonds often boast a rich history and originate from renowned mines or have connections to royal families.
• Cut: Precise and flawless cut, crystal cuts, highlights their beauty and clarity

Priceless The Cullian

The largest, purest, and still awe-inspiring is The Cullian. Although the diamonds obtained from The Cullian are not available for sale, due to their history and extraordinary clarity, these stones have been considered the most expensive diamond in the world.

The first reports about this extraordinary stone date back to the early 20th century; it comes from the Premier Mine in South Africa. The uniqueness of this discovery lay not only in its enormous size, but also in its perfect quality and remarkable brilliance.

Its presence in the regalia of monarchs and in the private collections of kings and queens underscores Cullinan’s status as the most important and valuable diamond in the world. 

Grinding technique

One of the greatest master jewelers of the time, Joseph Asscher, was entrusted with cutting the Cullinan stone. The process was extremely complex and risky, but the final result exceeded all expectations. Thanks to an innovative approach to cutting, the Cullinan retained its exceptional quality and unique brilliance. This process resulted in as many as nineteen new stones. The most valuable, “Cullinan I” or the “Star of Africa,” is the largest transparent cut diamond in the world.

Blue and pink diamond – exceptional auctions

While the world’s most expensive diamond is unattainable, extraordinary diamonds do occasionally appear at international auctions. Colored stones remain a rarity and continue to capture the imagination.

Auctions of gems like Eternal Pink or Pink Star are rare, and the stones on offer compete for the title of “the world’s most expensive gemstone” available for sale. 

Eternal Pink

Quig Bruning, head of jewelry at Sotheby’s America, expressed his admiration for The Eternal Pink. He described its color as “the most beautiful and most concentrated shade of pink in diamonds.”

Jewelers worked on the cut for over half a year, bringing out its natural beauty and brilliance. The stone’s weight, 10.57 carats after cutting, makes it one of the largest among pink diamonds.

The Eternal Pink auction was a true event. The price soared to an astonishing $35 million. I wonder which of these pink stones will earn the title of the world’s most expensive?

Blue Royal Auction

At the prestigious Christie’s auction house, Bleu Royal was sold for a staggering sum. This flawless diamond, weighing an impressive 17.61 carats, not only caught the eye of jewelry enthusiasts but also astonishes with its investment potential.

Estimates put the price at around $35 million. However, true to its extraordinary nature, Bleu Royal shattered those expectations, closing the auction at $43.8 million.

It’s hard to say which of these stones is the most expensive diamond in the world, but each one captivates and sparks the imagination.