The current consensus is that the most expensive diamonds ever sold or valued reach well into hundreds of millions, with the top examples including the Cullinan Diamond, the Hope Diamond, and the Pink Star, among others. Prices vary by whether you’re discussing estimated replacement value, historic valuations, or auction sale records, but a few figures are widely cited in reputable sources. Key contenders often cited as the most expensive
- The Cullinan Diamond: The largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, with an estimated value commonly cited around several hundred million dollars for the cut stones derived from it; its pieces are featured in royal collections and in the British Crown Jewels.
- The Hope Diamond: A famed 45.52-carat blue diamond with an estimated value in the hundreds of millions, frequently cited as around $250–$350 million in various listings and auction-related discussions.
- The Pink Star: A nearly 60-carat pink diamond that achieved a record auction price of about $71.2 million in 2017, making it one of the most expensive diamonds sold at auction.
- The Koh-i-Noor: Historically priceless in terms of cultural and political value rather than a market price; often described as priceless or in the high billions if appraised for sale, though no official market valuation exists.
Other notable high-valuation or high-sale examples
- The Centenary Diamond: A 273.85-carat brilliant-cut diamond with valuation around $100 million when discussed in modern contexts.
- The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond (often referenced as part of high-value discussions): frequently cited in the $20–$30 million range in certain contexts, though valuations vary by provenance and condition.
- Large fancy-coloured diamonds (reds, pinks, blues): Extremely rare and commanding multi-million figures; the Moussaieff Red Diamond and similar stones have price estimates in the low tens of millions rather than hundreds of millions, reflecting rarity and demand.
What drives the high valuations
- Carat weight and cut: Larger stones dramatically increase market value, with premium for flawless clarity and ideal symmetry.
- Color and rarity: Fancy vivid colors (pink, red, blue) significantly boost value, as do internal flaws and treatment history.
- Provenance and historical significance: Diamonds with royal connections or storied histories attract premium values and sometimes affect appraisal in non-market terms.
- Market context: Auction results, private sales, and museum valuations can diverge, so “most expensive” can refer to highest auction price, highest appraised value, or greatest historical value rather than a single universal figure.
If you’d like, I can tailor the overview to your interest—auction records, private sale estimates, or the strictly market-valued top end— and pull the latest specific figures from trusted sources.
