As early as the 14th and 15th centuries, scarce resource diamonds were costly, and only royal nobles could own precious diamonds.
But in modern times, more and more diamonds have appeared in jewelry auctions, and diamonds have gradually become priceless treasures chased by the world. We have sorted out the top 5 most expensive diamonds in the world.
What are the top 5 most expensive diamonds in the world?
#5 CTF Pink Star ($71.2 million)
CTF Pink Star, previously known as The Pink Star, was cut from a 132.5-carat rough diamond and was obtained by De Beers in 1999 at the Steinmetz mine. In April 2017, Hong Kong jewelry giant Chow Tai Fook bought for the $71.2 million at the Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction, setting a record for global gem auctions.
After two years of careful cutting and polishing, the pink star has become a 59.60 carat oval flawless brilliant pink diamond with a clarity of IF. Currently, it has been named CTF Pink Star in memory of Dr. Zheng Yutong, the father of the current chairman and founder of Chow Tai Fook.
#4 The Centenary Diamond ($100 million)
The centenary diamond was discovered In 1980. The rough weighed 599 carats and took three years to be polished to a flawless 273-carat diamond, ranking third in the world in weight.
It has 75 cuts at the top, 89 cuts at the bottom, and 83 cuts at the waist, for a total of 247 cuts. This flawless giant diamond is pale, rosy, gorgeous, and a rare treasure.
The Centenary diamond is currently in the De Beers collection and is estimated to be worth $ 100 million.
#3 The Hope Diamond ($250 million)
The Hope Diamond is a famous “doom diamond” in history. Its appearance is always accompanied by homicide and looting, and several owners have died strangely. It is also the prototype of “Heart of the Sea” in Titanic.
Hope diamond was discovered in India in the 1600s and purchased by King Louis XIV in 1668. It was then cut into a 67.125-carat chicken heart-shaped “Crown Blue Diamond.”
Unfortunately, it lost during the French Revolution in 1792, and until 1830, the disappeared for 38 years diamond, reappeared in the Netherlands and was owned by Wilhelm Fowles, a diamond cutter.
To prevent the French government from pursuing it, Wilhelm Fowles cut this diamond into its present form and weighs 44.4 carats.
A few years later, British jeweler Henry Phillip Hoppe bought the diamond for $ 90,000 and named it “HOPE DIAMOND.”
Fast forward to 1947, American jeweler Harry Winston bought the hope diamond, toured it and used it for charitable donations, and then donated the “doom diamond” to the Smithsonian Institution for people to visit.
The Hope Diamond price is about $250 million.
#2 The Cullinan Diamond (Up to $2 billion)
The Cullinan diamond is the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found, weighing an incredible 3,106.75ct with 621.35g. Discovered in Cullinan, South Africa in 1905, it was then gifted to King Edward VII.
Subsequently, The rough diamond was cut into many diamonds of different sizes, the largest of which is being Star of Africa I and the second-largest Star of Africa II.
Star of Africa I is the largest diamond in the world. It is drop-shaped and weighs 530.2 carats. It has 74 facets set on the scepter of the King of Britain and is now treasured in Buckingham Palace, England.
Star of Africa II is the second-largest diamond in the world. It is square and weighs 317.40 carats. It has 64 faces and set on the crown of the Queen of England.
#1 The Koh-I-Noor (Unknown)
It is believed that the Koh-I-Noor mine was mined in the Korah mine in India in the 1300s, and the rough weighed 800 carats. Initially ground into a rose shape and weighing 191 carats, it is one of the oldest and most famous diamonds in the world. It is also considered to be the most expensive diamond in the world.
Britain acquired the stone in 1850, to reduce flaws and increase its brilliance and sparkle. Prince Albert had cut it into a round diamond and reduced it to 105.6 carats. Colorless oval-cut diamonds are also known as Mountain of Light and the Diamond of Babur.
This stone is full of mystery and legend. In history, this diamond was regarded as a cursed diamond. It caused countless bloody slaughters and battles, and many monarchs who possessed it were ultimately unable to escape doom.
Later, the Mountain of Light became the most eye-catching jewel on the cross at the top of the British Queen’s crown, lying quietly in a museum in London, no one wore it anymore.
From the list of the most expensive diamonds above, do you interested to buy and have one of these diamonds?
