Diamonds have fascinated collectors, royalty, and investors for centuries. Yet among all gemstones ever discovered, one stands above the rest as the most expensive diamond in the world.
The title currently belongs to the Pink Star Diamond, a breathtaking 59.60-carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond that sold for $71.2 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2017.
This extraordinary gemstone isn’t just valuable because of its size. Its rare color, flawless clarity, perfect cut, and exceptional provenance make it one of the most remarkable diamonds ever discovered.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
- What the most expensive diamond in the world is
- The top most expensive diamonds ever sold
- The most expensive diamond cut, shape, and color
- What makes certain diamonds worth tens of millions of dollars
Whether you're a jewelry enthusiast, investor, or diamond buyer, this guide will help you understand what truly makes a diamond priceless.
What Is the Most Expensive Diamond in the World?
The most expensive diamond in the world ever sold at auction is the Pink Star Diamond, which achieved a record-breaking $71.2 million price in 2017 at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Pink Star Diamond |
| Price | $71.2 Million |
| Weight | 59.60 Carats |
| Color | Fancy Vivid Pink |
| Cut | Oval Mixed Cut |
| Discovered | South Africa |
| Auction House | Sotheby’s |
| Buyer | Chow Tai Fook Enterprises |
Originally discovered in 1999 by De Beers, the rough stone weighed 132.5 carats before being cut and polished into its final form.
The diamond took over two years of expert craftsmanship to cut into its stunning oval shape while preserving its intense pink color.
Because diamonds with this size, clarity, and color combination are nearly impossible to find, the Pink Star became the most expensive diamond ever sold.
Top Most Expensive Diamonds Ever Sold
Although the Pink Star holds the top record, several other legendary gemstones rank among the most expensive diamonds in the world.
These diamonds are famous not only for their price but also for their rarity, history, and extraordinary beauty.
The Pink Star Diamond
The Pink Star Diamond is widely recognized as the most expensive diamond in the world.
Why It’s So Valuable
- Fancy Vivid Pink color grade (highest possible grade)
- Nearly 60 carats extremely rare for pink diamonds
- Internally flawless clarity
- Exceptional oval cut
Pink diamonds are already among the rarest gemstones on Earth. Finding one of this size with such purity makes it essentially museum-level rarity.
The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond
The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond sold for $57.5 million in 2016, making it one of the most valuable blue diamonds ever sold.
- Weight: 14.62 carats
- Color: Fancy Vivid Blue
- Cut: Rectangular Step Cut
- Auction: Christie’s Geneva
The diamond was named after Sir Philip Oppenheimer, whose family led the De Beers diamond empire for decades.
Blue diamonds are extremely rare because their color forms when boron atoms enter the crystal structure during formation.
This geological rarity makes blue diamonds some of the most expensive gemstones in the world.
The Graff Pink Diamond
The Graff Pink Diamond sold for $46 million in 2010, purchased by renowned jeweler Laurence Graff.
Graff Pink Highlights
- Weight: 24.78 carats
- Color: Fancy Intense Pink
- Cut: Emerald Cut
- Buyer: Laurence Graff
After buying the diamond, Graff had the stone recut to improve its clarity, enhancing its brilliance and overall value.
Today, it remains one of the most famous pink diamonds ever discovered.
Most Expensive Diamond Cut Explained
The most expensive diamond cut is not defined by a single style. Instead, value comes from how well the cut maximizes brilliance, color intensity, and carat weight. Many of the most expensive diamonds in the world use cuts that preserve the rough diamond while enhancing its visual impact.
| Diamond Cut | Why It Appears in the Most Expensive Diamonds |
|---|---|
| Oval Cut | Used in the most expensive diamond in the world (Pink Star). Enhances color intensity, preserves more rough weight, and appears larger than round diamonds. |
| Emerald Cut | Known for long step facets and an elegant rectangular shape. Highlights clarity and transparency, making it ideal for high value diamonds like the Graff Pink. |
| Cushion Cut | A historic cut with rounded corners and large facets. Preserves maximum carat weight and gives diamonds a vintage luxury appeal. |
Most Expensive Diamond Shape in the World
The most expensive diamond shape varies depending on rarity and diamond characteristics. However, certain shapes appear frequently in record-breaking diamonds.
| Diamond Shape | Why It’s Valuable |
|---|---|
| Oval Shape | Enhances colored diamond intensity and maximizes surface area. Used in many record-breaking stones. |
| Emerald Shape | Elegant step-cut design that highlights clarity and luxury appeal. |
| Round Brilliant | The most popular shape worldwide, known for maximum brilliance and timeless design. |
Most Expensive Diamond Color Ever Recorded
Color rarity plays a major role in determining the most expensive diamond. Some diamond colors are so rare that their price can reach millions per carat.
| Diamond Color | Why It’s Expensive |
|---|---|
| Pink Diamonds | Extremely rare with limited supply. Strong collector demand, especially after the closure of the Argyle Mine. |
| Blue Diamonds | Formed due to boron in the crystal structure. Famous stones like the Oppenheimer Blue sell for tens of millions. |
| Red Diamonds | The rarest diamond color on Earth. Only a few dozen exist, and most are under one carat. |
What Makes Certain Diamonds Worth Tens of Millions of Dollars?
Only a small number of diamonds ever reach prices in the tens of millions. The stones that become the most expensive diamonds in the world usually combine exceptional quality, rarity, and strong demand from collectors.
Certification and Diamond Grading
High value diamonds are typically certified by respected gemological laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Certification verifies the diamond’s quality based on carat, color, clarity, and diamond cut.
For rare stones competing to become the most expensive diamond in the world, trusted certification plays a major role in building buyer confidence and increasing auction value.
Provenance and Ownership History
A diamond’s history can significantly influence its value. Stones that once belonged to royal families, famous collectors, or renowned jewelers often attract more attention at auctions.
This documented ownership history, known as provenance, can increase the desirability of a gemstone and push it into the category of the most expensive diamonds ever sold.
Auction Demand and Global Competition
Many of the most expensive diamonds are sold through prestigious auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s. When multiple collectors compete for a rare gemstone, the bidding process can quickly drive the price far beyond initial estimates.
This global competition is one of the main reasons why record breaking diamonds often sell for tens of millions of dollars.
Natural Rarity of Exceptional Diamonds
Diamonds form deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure over billions of years. However, only a tiny percentage develop the qualities needed to become the most expensive diamond in the world.
When a diamond combines large carat weight, rare color, exceptional clarity, and a perfectly executed cut, it can reach extraordinary values in the global market.
FAQ About By Most Expensive Diamond in the World
Q: What is the most expensive diamond in the world?
The Pink Star Diamond is the most expensive diamond in the world, selling for $71.2 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2017.
Q: Why are pink diamonds so expensive?
Pink diamonds are extremely rare because their color forms through unique crystal distortions deep within the Earth.
Q: What is the rarest diamond color?
Red diamonds are considered the rarest, followed by pink and blue diamonds.
Q: What is the most expensive diamond cut?
There is no single most expensive cut, but oval, emerald, and cushion cuts are often used for high-value diamonds.
Q: Why do some diamonds cost millions?
Diamonds reach million dollar prices due to a combination of rarity, carat weight, color intensity, clarity, and historical significance.
Conclusion
The most expensive diamond in the world, the Pink Star Diamond, represents the ultimate combination of rarity, beauty, and expert craftsmanship. Selling for $71.2 million, it remains one of the most valuable gemstones ever discovered.
However, diamonds reach such extraordinary prices only when several factors align rare color, exceptional clarity, large carat size, and perfect cutting.
As the supply of rare diamonds continues to decline, collectors believe the next record breaking diamond could be even more valuable.
