No man can grasp or put into words the beauty and the value that is, diamond. Diamonds, with their luster and brilliance unlike any other gems in the world, have become expensive jewels. Their worth has gone to unprecedented heights; their gleam and shine have made people wonder in awe.
Known for its hardness, diamonds have also emerged as the symbol of love, romance and marriage through the years. These gemstones have become God’s gift to mankind; they are nature’s hidden treasures. But having a diamond in one’s ring or accessories isn’t a walk in the park. It means spending a fortune. Diamonds might be forever, so as they say, but it is a luxury only few can afford.
This list is a compilation of the most expensive diamonds in the world today. With their lofty price tag and their unparalleled brilliance, these diamonds have become a reminder that the Earth is still the home of hidden wealth and natural bounty needed to be discovered.
10. The Allnatt Diamond ($3 million)
Named after its former owner, Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt, the Allnatt diamond is a fancy vivid yellow diamond measuring 101.29 carats (20.258 g). It is believed that this diamond originated from the Premier Mine in South Africa.
9. The Moussaieff Red Diamond ($ 7 million)
Formerly known as the Red Shield Diamond, the Moussaieff Red Diamond has trilliant (triangular brilliant) cut. It is the largest known Fancy Red diamond in the world today. It was reportedly found in the Abaetezinho River by a Brazilian farmer in 1990. Currently, the 5.11 carat (1.022 g) diamond is owned by the Moussaieff Jewelers Ltd.
8. The Heart of Eternity Diamond ( $16 million)
The Heart of Eternity diamond is a fancy vivid blue diamond which measures 27.64 carats (5.528 g). It was cut by the Steinmetz group before selling it to the De Beers Group. Found in the Premier Diamond Mine in South Africa, it belonged to the exceedingly rare class of colored diamonds. In 2000, an attempt to steal the diamond was uncovered and stopped.
7. Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond ($16.4 million)
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is a 31.06 carat (6.21 g) fancy deep blue diamond sold on December 2008 to London-based jeweler Laurence Graff . At that time, it was the highest price ever paid for an auction at $23.4 million. Originally known as the Wittelsbach Diamond, it has been recut losing over 4.45 carats (890 mg) in the process.
6. The Steinmetz Pink ($25 million)
The Steinmetz Pink diamond is currently the finest and largest Fancy Vivid Pink color in the world. Weighing at 59.60 (11.92 g), it was first unveiled in Monaco in May 2003. Owing to its rarity, the Steinmetz group composed of eight people took 20 months to cut the diamond. It was part of the Smithsonian’s “ The Splendor of Diamonds” exhibit.
5. De Beers Centenary Diamond ($100 million)
Being externally and internally “perfect”, the De Beers Centenary Diamond is graded D, the highest grade of colorless diamond, by the Gemological institute of America. It is a 273.85 carat (54.77 g) diamond and was unveiled in its final form in 1991. Its current owner is unknown though reports have surfaced that the diamond was sold to a young entrepreneur of Israeli and British origin who lives in the United States in June 2008.
4. The Hope Diamond ($ 350 million)
Dubbed as the most famous diamond in the world, the hope diamond is the second most visited artwork in the world after the Mona Lisa. It is a 45.52 carat (9.10 g) deep-blue diamond currently found in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington D.C. Its beauty, however, is surrounded by mystic curse. Though unconfirmed, the gemstone is blamed for misfortunes and unhappy fates of its owners and some historical figures linked to the Hope diamond.
3. The Cullinan Diamond ($400 million)
Weighing at 3,106.75 carats (621.35 g), the Cullinan is currently the largest rough-gem quality diamond ever found in the world. There were nine different cuts made from the Cullinan: Cullinan I or Great Star of Africa weighed at 530.4 carats (106.1) and Cullinan II or Lesser Star of Africa at 317.4 carats (63.5 g). Both are part of the crown jewels of the United Kingdom.
2. The Sancy Diamond (Unestimated)
Pale yellow in color, the Sancy Diamond weighs around 55.23 carats (11.05 g). Its name was derived from its first known owner, Nicholas Harlai, Seigneur de Sancy. This is the first diamond to be cut with symmetrical facets. The Sancy is believed to be of Indian origin as its cut is unusual by Western standards. It is currently housed in the Apollo Gallery of the Louvre Museum in France.
1. Koh-I-Noor (Unestimated)
Once known as the largest diamond in the world, the Koh-I-Noor diamond has been passed on from one ruler to another until it was seized by the East India Company and became part of the British Crown Jewels with Queen Victoria as the only reigning monarch to actually wear the gem in her crown. Known as “Mountain of Light” in Persian, the Koh-I-Noor diamond is the purest form in the world with 105 carats (21.6 g). It is believed that the Koh-I-Noor carries a curse if owned by a man. According to myths, all men who owned the diamond have either lost their throne or had suffered misfortunes throughout their lives. According to legends, if the monarch is a male, it is passed on to his spouse as the curse will not work to women.
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