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Writer's pictureRayah Levy, FCD Invest President

The Most Expensive Colored Diamonds in the World

 

Tiffany Yellow Diamond: $30 Million

This stunning yellow diamond, crafted by renowned New York jeweler Tiffany & Co., was famously worn by Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn in 1961 for publicity photos of Breakfast at Tiffany's. Weighing in at 128.54 carats, the diamond was cut in 1888 and remains under the ownership of Tiffany & Co.


In addition to Hepburn, only four other women have had the honor of wearing this remarkable stone: Beyoncé, Lady Gaga (pictured), Gal Gadot, and Mrs. Mary Whitehouse, wife of an American diplomat.

 

Cullinan Dream Diamond: $30.5 Million

The exceptional 24.18-carat Cullinan Dream was cut from a larger 122.52-carat rough diamond found at Petra Diamonds' Cullinan Mine in South Africa in 2014.


One of the priciest blue diamonds ever sold at auction, it fetched $25.4 million at a Christie's New York sale in June 2020. Adjusted for inflation, that amount is approximately $30.5 million today.

 

The Spirit of the Rose Diamond: $32 Million

The 14.8-carat Spirit of the Rose Diamond is a rare purple-pink gemstone, belonging to the top 1% of pink diamonds weighing 10 carats or more.


Mined in Russia, the Spirit of the Rose fetched nearly $26.6 million at a Swiss auction in 2020, which equates to around $32 million today.

 

The Winston Blue Diamond: $32 Million

The exact origins of the Winston Blue Diamond remain shrouded in mystery, though it is believed to have been discovered in South Africa. This stunning 13.22-carat pear-shaped diamond boasts a rare fancy vivid blue color.


In 2014, an undisclosed seller sold the diamond to luxury jeweler Harry Winston for $23.8 million, which would be around $32 million today. Originally referred to simply as "the Blue," the CEO of Harry Winston later added the brand’s name, renaming it the "Winston Blue."

 

The Sakura Diamond: $32 Million

The name "Sakura," meaning "cherry blossom" in Japanese, reflects the gemstone’s enchanting purple-pink hue. Mined from the Yakutia Mines in Russia, the Sakura diamond holds the distinction of being the largest pink diamond ever discovered in the country.


Originally weighing 27.8 carats, it was subsequently cut to 15.81 carats. Graded as fancy vivid pink, this remarkable diamond sold for $29.3 million at auction in 2022, which is roughly $32 million today.

 

The Perfect Pink Diamond: $33 Million

The Perfect Pink diamond is renowned for being the only pink diamond to receive the GIA’s "fancy intense perfect pink" grade.


Weighing 14.23 carats, the diamond was sold for $23.2 million in 2010 to an anonymous buyer. When adjusted for inflation, that figure is equivalent to around $33 million today.

 

Sweet Josephine Diamond: $38 Million

The Sweet Josephine Diamond is one of the priciest vivid pink diamonds ever sold at auction. Weighing 16.08 carats, it was purchased by Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau for $28.7 million at a Christie's Geneva auction in 2015, which is approximately $38 million today. The exquisite diamond is named in honor of his daughter.

 

Unique Pink Diamond: $41 Million

Set in a ring, the Unique Pink Diamond fetched $31.6 million at Sotheby’s Geneva auction in May 2016, equivalent to around $41 million today.


Weighing 15.38 carats, the diamond was purchased by an anonymous Asian bidder and set a new record as the most expensive pear-shaped pink diamond ever sold at auction.

 

Zoe Diamond: $43 Million

This 9.75-carat pear-shaped diamond was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in 2014 by the estate of philanthropist Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon, fetching the equivalent of $43 million today.


The stunning azure diamond was acquired by a private collector in Hong Kong, who named it the Zoe Diamond. At the time, it was not only the most expensive blue diamond in the world but also the priciest diamond ever sold per carat.

 

Bleu Royal diamond: $45 Million

This exceptionally rare blue diamond achieved a remarkable price at a Christie's auction in Geneva in November 2023. The 17.61-carat pear-shaped Bleu Royal diamond, set in a ring, sold for an impressive $43.8 million (£34.4 million), equivalent to about $45 million today.


Christie’s described the gem as the "largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond" ever to be offered at auction. It had been part of a private collection for 50 years.

 

Orange Diamond: $48 Million

Weighing 14.82 carats, this breathtaking stone is the largest and most expensive orange diamond ever sold at auction.


In 2013, it was sold for $35.5 million, which equates to approximately $48 million today.

 

Princie Diamond: $53 Million

The Princie Diamond was discovered more than 300 years ago in India. Weighing 34.65 carats, the stone, which once belonged to the Nizam of Hyderabad, was named by jeweler Pierre Arpels in 1960 in honor of the Maharaja of Baroda's son.


In 2013, the diamond was sold at Christie's New York for $39.3 million, which is approximately $53 million today.

 

Winston Pink Legacy Diamond: $63 Million

The 18.96-carat Winston Pink Legacy Diamond achieved an astonishing $50.4 million at auction in 2018, equivalent to around $63 million today.


Discovered in a South African mine in 1918, the captivating gemstone was later purchased by luxury jeweler Harry Winston. The brand has since showcased the diamond, setting it in a ring made of rose gold and platinum.

 

The De Beers Cullinan Blue: $63 Million

The De Beers Cullinan Blue sold for just under $57.5 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2022, just falling short of the record price for a blue diamond. Today, the diamond is valued at approximately $63 million.


Unearthed in 2021 at the Cullinan Mine in South Africa, the exceptional 15.10-carat gem is graded as internally flawless.

 

Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond: $64 Million

Unearthed at a South African mine in 2014, this remarkable 12.03-carat blue diamond was purchased by Joseph Lau for $48.4 million in 2015, which is equivalent to $64 million today—just one day after he acquired the Sweet Josephine gemstone.


Lau named both diamonds in honor of his daughter, Josephine.

 

Graff Pink Diamond: $66 Million

This emerald-cut pink diamond was sold for $46.1 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2010, which is an impressive $66 million today.


Regarded as one of the greatest diamonds ever found, the 24.78-carat gem was purchased by jeweler Laurence Graff.

 

Oppenheimer Blue Diamond: $75 Million

Named after its previous owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer, this 14.62-carat blue diamond fetched over $57.5 million at auction in 2016, which equates to $75 million today.


This stunning diamond currently holds the record for the most expensive blue diamond ever sold at auction.

 

Pink Star Diamond: $91 Million

In 2017, the renowned Pink Star Diamond set a record as the most expensive cut gemstone ever sold at auction, fetching an astounding $71.2 million. Today, that’s equivalent to around $91 million.


Originally purchased by diamond cutter Isaac Wolf, he was unable to pay the hefty price, and the diamond is now owned by a Hong Kong-based conglomerate.

 

Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond: $113 Million

In 2008, jeweler Laurence Graff purchased the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond at auction for $24.3 million. Graff made some controversial modifications to the gemstone, recutting it to remove damage and enhance its unique color. Although the diamond lost 4.52 carats in the process, its Internally Flawless (IF) rating has significantly increased its value.


In 2011, the diamond was sold to the former Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa, for at least $80 million, which is approximately $113 million today.

 

Hope Diamond: $350 Million

Similar to the Mouawad Blue and Regent diamonds, the famous Hope Diamond is believed to be cursed, bringing misfortune to anyone who owns or wears it. Despite this, the diamond has continued to attract buyers. Mined in India in the early 17th century, the 45.52-carat gem has changed hands several times, including being owned by King Louis XIV of France.


Today, it is housed at the Smithsonian Institution, a museum and research complex, and is estimated to be worth an impressive $350 million.

 

Daria-i-Noor Diamond: Priceless

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


Due to its historical importance, the diamond is regarded as priceless.

 

Please email FCD Invest at info@fcdinvest.diamonds to discuss your personalized long-term investment strategy. 


For more information on Fancy Color Diamonds as an investment, please visit our Fancy Color Diamond informational page linked here.

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