The world's most valuable diamonds, and who's worn them

Danielle McAdam

9 May 2024 at 5:46 am·15-min read

Seriously expensive sparkly rocks

<p>Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP/Alamy</p> — Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP/Alamy

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend, but there's nothing wallet-friendly about the sparkly rocks in this round-up.

From the supposedly cursed Hope Diamond to the glittering crown jewels and the iconic Tiffany Yellow Diamond worn exclusively by the stars, read on as we reveal the most valuable diamonds in the world.

All dollar amounts are in US dollars.

Moussaieff Red Diamond: $20 million (£16m)

<p>Courtesy Moussaieff</p> — Courtesy Moussaieff

Of all the coloured diamonds, red gems are rarest – and this 5.11-carat crimson beauty is the largest cut specimen on the planet. It was discovered in the 1990s by a Brazilian farmer in the Abzetezinho River and was originally known as the Red Shield until the diamond dealer Shlomo Moussaieff bought it for an undisclosed sum in 2001.

Today, the diamond is worth around $20 million (£16m).

Taylor-Burton Diamond: $23 million (£18m)

Set in a spectacular necklace, this 68-carat, pear-shaped diamond was bought by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in 1969. Taylor wore it to the 42nd Academy Awards in 1970 but sold it nine years later for $5 million, or around $23 million (£18m) in today's money.

It's now thought to be owned by jeweller Robert Mouawad.

The Rock: $24 million (£19m)

<p>Courtesy Christie's</p> — Courtesy Christie's

The largest white diamond ever to go under the hammer was sold at Christie’s in Geneva in 2022, fetching $21.9 million, or $24 million (£19m) today.

Named The Rock, the dazzling 228.31-carat, pear-shaped gemstone is about the size of a golf ball and was previously worn as part of an opulent Cartier necklace.

The Light of Memory Diamond: $24 million (£19m)

This glorious 9.14-carat pink diamond sold for over $18 million at Christie’s Geneva in 2016. That's around $24 million (£19m) in today's money.

Mounted on a Cartier ring, the pear-shaped jewel was bought by a private Asian collector who named it The Light of Memory.

Chloe Diamond: $25 million (£20m)

<p>Courtesy Sotheby's</p> — Courtesy Sotheby's

The Chloe Diamond is the world's largest colourless, brilliant-cut round diamond. The captivating gemstone was bought by George Marciano, co-founder of clothing brand Guess, for $16.2 million in 2007, around $25 million (£20m) in today's money.

Marciano named the 84.37-carat diamond after his then-12-year-old daughter.

Mouawad Blue Diamond: $25 million (£20m)

<p>Courtesy Mouawad</p> — Courtesy Mouawad

Formerly known as the Tereshchenko Diamond, the Mouawad Blue is the second-largest blue diamond in the world. According to legend, the 42.92-carat diamond, which is said to have been stolen from the eyes of an ancient Hindi sculpture in India, is cursed.

The original owner, Mikhail Tereshchenko, lost his fortune in the Russian Revolution. The diamond is now owned by Robert Mouawad, hence its new name, and is thought to be worth $25 million (£20m) today.

Archduke Joseph Diamond: $29 million (£23m)

This exquisite antique cushion-shaped diamond is a whopping 76.02 carats. Discovered in the same Indian mine as the much-admired Koh-i-Noor Diamond, the jewel is named after its first owner, Archduke Joseph August of Austria.

Now part of a private collection, it sold for $21.5 million at Christie's Geneva in 2012. In today's money, that's around $29 million (£23m).

Great Chrysanthemum Diamond: $30 million (£23.8m)

<p>Courtesy Julius Cohen</p> — Courtesy Julius Cohen

This striking orange-brown diamond was discovered in 1963 at the Kimberley Mines in South Africa and bought by jeweller Julius Cohen, who had the rough stone cut into a 104.15-carat gem. Cohen named the diamond the Great Chrysanthemum after the charitable Chrysanthemum Ball in Texas.

Cohen later sold it, and the diamond is currently stored in a private collection. Its current estimated value is $30 million (£23.8m).

Tiffany Yellow Diamond: $30 million (£23.8m)

<p>Toni Anne Barson/FilmMagic</p> — Toni Anne Barson/FilmMagic

The handiwork of New York jeweller Tiffany & Co., this fabulous yellow diamond was worn by Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn in 1961 in publicity photographs for the film Breakfast At Tiffany's. The 128.54-carat diamond was cut in 1888 and is still owned by the company.

Apart from Audrey Hepburn, only four other women have worn the stone: Beyoncé, Lady Gaga (pictured), Gal Gadot, and Mrs Mary Whitehouse, the wife of an American diplomat.

Cullinan Dream Diamond: $30.5 million (£24m)

The flawless 24.18-carat Cullinan Dream was cut from a 122.52-carat stone discovered at Petra Diamond's Cullinan Mine in South Africa in 2014.

One of the most expensive blue diamonds ever sold at auction, the gem fetched $25.4 million at a Christie's New York sale in June 2020. In today's money, that's around $30.5 million (£24m).

The Spirit of the Rose Diamond: $32 million (£25m)

<p>FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images</p> — FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

This 14.8-carat Spirit of the Rose Diamond purple-pink gemstone is part of the elite 1% of pink diamonds that are 10 carats or more.

Mined in Russia, the Spirit of the Rose sold for almost $26.6 million at auction in Switzerland in 2020, or $32 million (£25m) in today's money.

The Winston Blue Diamond: $32 million (£25m)

<p>Courtesy's Christie's</p> — Courtesy's Christie's

The origins of the Winston Blue Diamond are somewhat mysterious, though records indicate it was unearthed in South Africa. It's a fancy vivid blue pear-shaped stone, weighing 13.22-carat.

In 2014, an unknown individual sold the diamond to the luxury jeweler Harry Winston for $23.8 million, equivalent to around $32 million (£25m) today. Initially known simply as "the Blue", the CEO of Harry Winston added "Winston" to its name.

The Sakura Diamond: $32 million (£25m)

"Sakura" translates to "cherry blossom" in Japanese, with this gemstone's name evoking its captivating purple-pink colour. Unearthed from the Yakutia Mines in Russia, the Sakura diamond is the largest pink diamond ever mined in the country.

Initially weighing 27.8-carat, it was later cut down to 15.81-carat. Graded as fancy vivid pink, the stunning stone fetched $29.3 million at an auction in 2022. In today's money, that's approximately $32 million (£25m).

The Perfect Pink Diamond: $33 million (£26m)

The Perfect Pink diamond earns its name from its distinction as the only pink diamond graded as a fancy intense perfect pink by the GIA.

Weighing 14.23-carat, the diamond sold for $23.2 million in 2010 to an anonymous bidder. Adjusted for inflation, that equates to $33 million (£26m) in today's money.

Sweet Josephine Diamond: $38 million (£30m)

The Sweet Josephine Diamond is one of the most expensive vivid pink diamonds ever to sell at auction. The 16.08-carat rock was bought by Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau at a Christie's Geneva auction in 2015 for $28.7 million, the equivalent of $38 million (£30m) today.

The stunning stone is named after his daughter.

Unique Pink Diamond: $41 million (£32m)

Mounted on a ring, the Unique Pink Diamond sold for $31.6 million when it went under the hammer at Sotheby's Geneva in May 2016, or $41 million (£32m) in today's money.

The 15.38-carat jewel was bought by an anonymous Asian buyer and set a record for the most expensive pear-shaped pink diamond sold at auction.

Zoe Diamond: $43 million (£34m)

This 9.75-carat pear-shaped diamond was sold by the estate of philanthropist Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon at a Sotheby's sale in 2014 for the equivalent of $43 million (£34m) in today's money.

The azure stone was purchased by a private collector in Hong Kong, who named it the Zoe Diamond. At the time, it wasn't only the world's most expensive blue diamond but also the world's most expensive diamond per carat.

Bleu Royal diamond: $45 million (£35m)

This very rare blue diamond fetched a handsome price when it sold at a Christie's auction in Geneva in November 2023. The 17.61-carat pear-shaped Bleu Royal diamond, which is set in a ring, sold for an astonishing $43.8 million (£34.4m). That's around $45 million (£35m) today.

According to Christie's, the gem is the "largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue gem" ever to appear for sale in auction history and had been part of a private collection for 50 years.

Orange Diamond: $48 million (£38m)

Measuring 14.82-carat, this stunning stone is the largest and most expensive orange diamond ever sold at auction.

It fetched $35.5 million in 2013, which is $48 million (£38m) in today's money.

The Lesotho Legend Diamond: $50 million (£39m)

<p>Courtesy Gem Diamonds</p> — Courtesy Gem Diamonds

The Lesotho Legend Diamond was discovered in the Kingdom of Lesotho in Africa in 2018. Measuring a whopping 910-carat, it ranks as the fifth-largest diamond ever discovered. Not only is the diamond impressive due to its staggering size, but the stone is also classified as a D colour, Type IIa, receiving the highest colour and quality ratings.

Shortly after its unearthing, it was snapped up by a mystery buyer for $40 million, or $50 million (£39m) in 2024 money.

Princie Diamond: $53 million (£42m)

The Princie Diamond was discovered over 300 years ago in India. The 34.65-carat stone, which once belonged to the Nizam of Hyderabad, was named in honour of the Maharaja of Baroda's son by jeweller Pierre Arpels in 1960.

The diamond was sold at Christie's New York in 2013 for $39.3 million, or $53 million (£42m) today.

Winston Pink Legacy Diamond: $63 million (£50m)

The 18.96-carat Winston Pink Legacy Diamond fetched an incredible $50.4 million when it went under the hammer in 2018, or around $63 million (£50m) today.

This captivating gemstone was discovered in a South African mine in 1918 and was subsequently acquired by the luxury jewelry brand Harry Winston. Since then, Harry Winston has showcased the diamond by setting it in a ring of rose gold and platinum.

The De Beers Cullinan Blue: $63 million (£50m)

The De Beers Cullinan Blue fetched just shy of $57.5 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2022, narrowly missing out on the record sale price for a blue diamond. In today's money, the diamond is worth around $63 million (£50m).

Discovered in 2021 at Cullinan Mine in South Africa, the rare 15.10-carat rock is graded internally flawless.

Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond: $64 million (£50m)

Discovered at a South African mine in 2014, this exceptional 12.03-carat blue diamond was bought by Joseph Lau for $48.4 million in 2015, $64 million (£50m) today – just one day after he snapped up the Sweet Josephine gemstone.

Lau named both diamonds after his daughter Josephine.

Graff Pink Diamond: $66 million (£52m)

<p>Lefteris Pitarakis/PA</p> — Lefteris Pitarakis/PA

This emerald-cut pink diamond sold for $46.1 million at a Sotheby's auction in 2010. In today's money, that's a staggering $66 million (£52m).

Hailed as one of the greatest diamonds ever discovered, the 24.78-carat gem was bought by jeweller Laurence Graff.

Lesedi La Rona: $68 million (£54m)

Weighing a staggering 1,109-carat, the magnificent Lesedi La Rona diamond is almost the size of a tennis ball. The stone is believed to have been formed almost 3 billion years ago in Botswana, and its name translates to "Our Light."

In 2017, it sold for $53 million, equivalent to around $68 million (£54m) in today's money. The buyer was Laurence Graff, chairman of the London-based jeweller Graff Diamonds, who acquired it privately after the diamond failed to sell at auction.

Regent Diamond: $72 million (£57m)

<p>Courtesy ©RMN, Musée du Louvre-</p> — Courtesy ©RMN, Musée du Louvre-

The 140.64-carat Regent Diamond is owned by the French government and kept at the Louvre in Paris. According to legend, the diamond was discovered in India in 1698 by an enslaved person who was later murdered by an English sea captain.

The jewel, which is said to be cursed, ended up in the collection of the French Regent, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, and was requisitioned by the state after the French Revolution. Today, its estimated worth is around $72 million (£57m).

Oppenheimer Blue Diamond: $75 million (£59m)

<p>Philip Toscano/PA</p> — Philip Toscano/PA

Named after its former owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer, this 14.62-carat blue diamond sold for more than $57.5 million at auction in 2016. In today's money, that's $75 million (£59m).

The dazzling rock currently holds the record for the most expensive blue diamond ever sold at auction.

Constellation Diamond: $83 million (£65m)

<p>Courtesy Lucian Coman Lucara Constellation</p> — Courtesy Lucian Coman Lucara Constellation

This gigantic 813-carat rock holds the world record for the most expensive rough diamond, selling for $63.1 million in 2016, or $83 million (£65m) today.

The largest diamond to be discovered in over a century, the Constellation Diamond was mined in 2015 by the Lucara Diamond Corp from its Karowe mine in Botswana and sold to jeweller De Grisogono.

Harrods Diamond: $90 million (£71m)

<p>Courtesy Harrods</p> — Courtesy Harrods

In 2016, luxury London department store Harrods unveiled its eponymous 228.31-carat rock, which was put up for sale after languishing in the store's vaults for years. The value of the diamond is thought to be a huge $90 million (£71m).

Pink Star Diamond: $91 million (£72m)

In 2017, the famous Pink Star Diamond became the most expensive cut gemstone ever sold at auction when it fetched a staggering $71.2 million. In today's money, that's a whopping $91 million (£72m).

The gemstone was originally bought by diamond cutter Isaac Wolf, but he was unable to settle the enormous bill, so it's now owned by Hong Kong-based company Chow Tai Fook Enterprises.

De Beers Centenary Diamond: $100 million (£79m)

<p>Courtesy De Beers</p> — Courtesy De Beers

Discovered in South Africa's Cullinan Mine in 1986, this alluring 273.85-carat rock is one of the largest cut white diamonds in the world.

Although it's still known as the De Beers Diamond, the jewellers De Beers sold the stone to an anonymous collector some years ago.

De Beers Millennium Star: $100 million (£79m)

De Beers may have sold its Centenary Diamond, but the firm still owns the breathtaking 203.04-carat Millennium Star.

Unearthed in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1990, the jewel was precision-cut using lasers and first displayed in October 1999 as the centrepiece of the De Beers Millennium Diamond Collection.

Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond: $113 million (£89m)

Jeweller Laurence Graff bought the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond at auction in 2008 for $24.3 million. Graff made some controversial changes to the gemstone, recutting it to remove damage and enhance its distinctive colour. Although the diamond lost 4.52 carats in the process, it now has a rating of Internally flawless (IF), meaning its value has increased.

The diamond was sold to the former Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa, for at least $80 million in 2011, which is around $113 million (£89m) in today's money.

Jacob Diamond: $150 million (£118m)

<p>Mahesh Kumar/PA</p> — Mahesh Kumar/PA

The Jacob Diamond was discovered in 1884 and put up for sale by gemstone trader Alexander Malcolm Jacob in 1891. The then-Nizam of Hyderabad, Mahboob Ali Khan, bought the stone and it ended up being used as a paperweight by the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan.

The government of India later acquired the jewel from the Nizam's trust for a rumoured $13 million in 1995. It's worth an estimated $150 million (£118m) today.

Hope Diamond: $350 million (£276m)

<p>Ann Heisenfelt/PA</p> — Ann Heisenfelt/PA

Like the Mouawad Blue and Regent diamonds, the renowned Blue Hope Diamond is said to carry a curse, bringing misfortune to anyone who owns or wears it. Nevertheless, this hasn't put buyers off. Mined in India back in the early 17th century, the 45.52-carat rock has passed through a number of owners over the years, including King Louis XIV of France.

It's now the property of the Smithsonian Institution, a museum and research complex. It's estimated to be worth a stunning $350 million (£276m) today.

Daria-i-Noor Diamond: priceless

<p>Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons</p> — Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The 186-carat Daria-i-Noor, which means "sea of light", forms part of the Iranian Crown Jewels. The pale pink jewel was discovered in India centuries ago and was owned by the Kakatiya dynasty in the 11th century.

Given its historical significance, the diamond is considered priceless.

Koh-i-Noor Diamond: priceless

<p>Courtesy Royal Collection</p> — Courtesy Royal Collection

One of the star attractions of England's glittering Crown Jewels, the fabled Koh-i-Noor ("mountain of light") diamond was set in the late Queen Mother's Crown. Discovered in the 13th century, the priceless 105.602-carat gemstone was first owned by the Kaktiya dynasty and controversially passed on, under dubious circumstances, to Queen Victoria in 1849.

The Indian government has been campaigning for its return since 1947.

Cullinan II (Second Star of Africa) Diamond: priceless

The Cullinan II, also known as the Second Star of Africa, was cut from the Cullinan Diamond, which weighed a staggering 3,106.75 carats in its rough state. The splendid diamond was mined in South Africa back in 1905 and given to Britain's King Edward VII.

Regarded as priceless, the 317.4-carat Cullinan II is set in the front of the Imperial State Crown.

Cullinan I (Great Star of Africa) Diamond: priceless

The world's most valuable cut diamond ever sold, the colossal 530.2-carat Cullinan I is considered priceless. However, some experts have estimated that it may be worth over $2 billion (£1.6bn).

Cut from the original rough Cullinan stone and set at the top of the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross, the diamond – also known as the Great Star of Africa – is the most prized item of the English Crown Jewels.

Now take a look at the world's most valuable paintings