The following is a list of the 10 most expensive jewelry pieces ever sold, in no particular order:
- The Hope Diamond ($200-250 million)
- The Peacock Brooch ($100 million)
- The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond ($80 million)
- The Pink Star ($71.2 million)
- The Oppenheimer Blue ($57.5 million)
- The L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace ($55 million)
- The Blue Moon of Josephine ($48.4 million)
- The Graff Pink ($46.2 million)
- The Bao Dai ($27.4 million)
- The Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace ($27.4 million)
These pieces are all incredibly rare and valuable, and they have a fascinating history. For example, the Hope Diamond is said to be cursed, and the Peacock Brooch was once owned by Queen Elizabeth I.
It is important to note that the value of jewelry can be subjective, and it can depend on a number of factors, such as the rarity of the gemstones, the craftsmanship of the piece, and the historical significance. As a result, the prices of these pieces of jewelry can fluctuate over time.
1. The Hope Diamond ($200-250 million)
The Hope Diamond is a 45.52-carat deep blue diamond that is believed to have been mined in India in the 17th century. It has passed through the hands of many famous owners, including King Louis XIV of France and Marie Antoinette. The diamond is now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
The Hope Diamond is known for its deep blue color, which is caused by trace amounts of boron in the stone. The diamond is also known for its curse. According to legend, the diamond is cursed because it was stolen from a Hindu temple. The curse is said to bring bad luck to anyone who owns the diamond.
Some of the famous people who have owned the Hope Diamond include:
- Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French gem merchant who purchased the diamond in India in 1666.
- King Louis XIV of France, who purchased the diamond from Tavernier in 1668.
- Marie Antoinette, the wife of King Louis XVI of France.
- Henry Philip Hope, a wealthy British banker who purchased the diamond in 1839.
- Evalyn Walsh McLean, an American socialite who purchased the diamond in 1912.
The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous and valuable diamonds in the world. It is a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty.
The Hope Diamond is also known for its phosphorescence, which means it glows red when exposed to ultraviolet light. This is caused by the presence of trace amounts of nitrogen in the diamond.
The Hope Diamond is a truly unique and precious gemstone. It is a testament to the beauty and wonder of nature.
2. The Peacock Brooch ($100 million)
The Peacock Brooch is a stunning piece of jewelry that features a large blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds and emeralds. It was created by Graff Diamonds in 1987, and it is said to be worth over $100 million. The brooch is currently owned by an anonymous collector.
The Peacock Brooch is inspired by the beauty of the peacock bird. The blue sapphire in the center of the brooch is said to represent the peacock’s vibrant plumage. The diamonds and emeralds that surround the sapphire represent the peacock’s feathers and eyes.
The Peacock Brooch is a masterpiece of jewelry design. It is a testament to the skill and artistry of the craftsmen at Graff Diamonds.
The Peacock Brooch is made of 18-karat yellow gold and platinum. It features a 20.02-carat pear-shaped blue sapphire, 13.06 carats of diamonds, and 1.00 carat of emeralds.
The Peacock Brooch is a truly unique and precious piece of jewelry. It is a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty.
The Peacock Brooch has been worn by a number of celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, and Angelina Jolie. It has also been featured in a number of films and television shows, including “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Gossip Girl.”
The Peacock Brooch is a truly iconic piece of jewelry. It is a symbol of luxury, glamour, and sophistication.
3. The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond ($80 million)
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is a 31.06-carat deep blue diamond that is one of the largest and most valuable blue diamonds in the world. It was owned by the Bavarian royal family for centuries, but it was sold to the British jeweler Laurence Graff in 2008 for a reported $80 million. The diamond is now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is known for its deep blue color and its flawless clarity. The diamond is also known for its historical significance. The diamond was once owned by King Philip II of Spain, and it was also worn by Empress Elizabeth of Austria.
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is a truly unique and precious gemstone. It is a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty.
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond was originally mined in India in the 17th century. It was then purchased by King Philip II of Spain, who gave it to his daughter, Princess Margaret of Austria. The diamond then passed through the hands of a number of other European monarchs, including the Bavarian royal family.
In 2008, the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond was sold to Laurence Graff for a reported $80 million. Graff had the diamond recut to improve its brilliance and color. The recut diamond is now known as the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond.
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is a truly iconic piece of jewelry. It is a symbol of luxury, glamour, and sophistication. It is also a reminder of the rich history of diamonds and the power that they have held over people for centuries.
4. The Pink Star ($71.2 million)
The Pink Star is a 59.60-carat pink diamond that is the largest and most valuable pink diamond ever sold at auction. It was sold at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in 2017 for a record-breaking $71.2 million. The diamond is currently owned by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, a Hong Kong-based jewelry company.
The Pink Star is known for its intense pink color and its flawless clarity. The diamond is also known for its large size. The Pink Star is the largest pink diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.
The Pink Star was mined in South Africa in 1999. It took two years to cut and polish the diamond into its current shape. The diamond was originally named the Steinmetz Pink, but it was renamed the Pink Star before it was sold at auction.
The Pink Star is a truly rare and precious gemstone. It is a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty.
The Pink Star is a type IIa diamond, which means that it is almost completely free of nitrogen and other impurities. This gives the diamond its exceptional clarity and brilliance.
The Pink Star is also known for its intense pink color, which is caused by the presence of trace amounts of manganese in the stone. The Pink Star’s pink color is so intense that it is often compared to the color of a raspberry.
The Pink Star is a truly unique and exceptional gemstone. It is a testament to the beauty and wonder of nature.
5. The Oppenheimer Blue ($57.5 million)
The Oppenheimer Blue is a 14.62-carat vivid blue diamond that is the largest and most valuable vivid blue diamond ever sold at auction. It was sold at Christie’s in Geneva in 2016 for $57.5 million. The diamond is currently owned by an anonymous collector.
The Oppenheimer Blue is known for its intense blue color and its flawless clarity. The diamond is also known for its large size. The Oppenheimer Blue is the largest vivid blue diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.
The Oppenheimer Blue was mined in South Africa in the early 1900s. It was purchased by Sir Philip Oppenheimer, a member of the Oppenheimer family, which is one of the most powerful diamond families in the world.
Sir Philip Oppenheimer kept the diamond in his private collection until his death in 1995. After his death, the diamond was passed on to his heirs.
In 2016, the Oppenheimer Blue was sold at Christie’s in Geneva for $57.5 million. The sale was a record for a vivid blue diamond.
The Oppenheimer Blue is a truly rare and precious gemstone. It is a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty.
The Oppenheimer Blue is a type IIb diamond, which means that it is almost completely free of nitrogen and other impurities. This gives the diamond its exceptional clarity and brilliance.
The Oppenheimer Blue is also known for its intense blue color, which is caused by the presence of trace amounts of boron in the stone. The Oppenheimer Blue’s blue color is so intense that it is often compared to the color of the ocean.
The Oppenheimer Blue is a truly unique and exceptional gemstone. It is a testament to the beauty and wonder of nature.
6. The L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace ($55 million)
The L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace is a stunning piece of jewelry that features a 407.48-carat yellow diamond suspended gracefully from a 229.52-carat white diamond necklace intertwined by 18-karat rose gold branchlets. It was designed and created by Lebanese jeweler Robert Mouawad and unveiled at the Doha Jewellery and Watch Exhibition in 2013.
The yellow diamond at the center of the necklace is one of the largest and most flawless yellow diamonds in the world. It is believed to have been mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 1980s and was originally found as an 890-carat rough stone. It was then cut and polished into its current shape over a period of two years.
The white diamonds that surround the yellow diamond are also of exceptional quality. They are all VVS1 clarity or above and D-E-F color. The necklace is also adorned with 20 rose-cut diamonds and 96 pear-shaped diamonds.
The L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace is a truly unique and exceptional piece of jewelry. It is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of Robert Mouawad and his team. It is also a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty.
The necklace is currently owned by an anonymous collector. It was last seen in public in 2013 at the Doha Jewellery and Watch Exhibition. It is estimated to be worth over $50 million.
The L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace is a truly stunning piece of jewelry. It is a testament to the beauty and wonder of nature, as well as the skill and artistry of human craftsmanship.
7. The Blue Moon of Josephine ($48.4 million)
The Blue Moon of Josephine is a 12.03-carat cushion-shaped vivid blue diamond, described as flawless by experts. It was discovered in South Africa in January 2014 and was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva in November 2015 for a record-setting price of $48.4 million (43.2 million Swiss francs plus fees).
The “Blue Moon” sale, according to David Bennett, the head of Sotheby’s international jewellery division, set a record for the highest-ever price per carat and it made the diamond both the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction and the world’s most expensive diamond, regardless of color.
The Blue Moon of Josephine was purchased by Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau, who renamed it after his daughter, Josephine.
The Blue Moon of Josephine is a truly unique and exceptional gemstone. It is one of the largest and most valuable vivid blue diamonds in the world. It is also known for its flawless clarity and intense blue color.
The Blue Moon of Josephine is a testament to the beauty and wonder of nature. It is also a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty.
8. The Graff Pink ($46.2 million)
The Graff Pink is a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that was sold at Sotheby’s in London in 2010 for $46.2 million. The diamond was purchased by British jeweler Laurence Graff, who renamed it the Graff Pink.
The Graff Pink is one of the largest and most valuable pink diamonds in the world. It is also known for its flawless clarity and intense pink color.
The Graff Pink was mined in the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia in 1999. It took two years to cut and polish the diamond into its current shape.
The Graff Pink is a truly unique and exceptional gemstone. It is a testament to the beauty and wonder of nature. It is also a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty.
The Graff Pink is currently on display at the Laurence Graff boutique in London.
The Graff Pink is a type IIa diamond, which means that it is almost completely free of nitrogen and other impurities. This gives the diamond its exceptional clarity and brilliance.
The Graff Pink is also known for its intense pink color, which is caused by the presence of trace amounts of manganese in the stone. The Graff Pink’s pink color is so intense that it is often compared to the color of a raspberry.
The Graff Pink is a truly unique and exceptional gemstone. It is a testament to the beauty and wonder of nature.
9. The Bao Dai ($27.4 million)
The Bao Dai is a 9.75-carat emerald-cut diamond that was sold at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in 2014 for $27.4 million. The diamond was purchased by an anonymous collector.
The Bao Dai is one of the largest and most valuable emerald-cut diamonds in the world. It is also known for its flawless clarity and intense white color.
The Bao Dai was mined in the Golconda mines of India in the 17th century. It was then purchased by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who gave it to his daughter, Jahanara Begum.
The Bao Dai then passed through the hands of a number of other Indian and Persian rulers. In the 19th century, the diamond was purchased by the French government and given to Emperor Napoleon III.
Napoleon III gave the Bao Dai to his wife, Empress Eugénie. After Napoleon III’s death, Empress Eugénie fled to England, where she took the Bao Dai with her.
Empress Eugénie sold the Bao Dai in 1887. The diamond then passed through the hands of a number of other private owners before it was sold at auction in 2014.
The Bao Dai is a truly unique and exceptional gemstone. It is a testament to the beauty and wonder of nature. It is also a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty.
The Bao Dai is currently owned by an anonymous collector. It is not known where the diamond is currently located.
The Bao Dai is a type IIa diamond, which means that it is almost completely free of nitrogen and other impurities. This gives the diamond its exceptional clarity and brilliance.
The Bao Dai is also known for its intense white color, which is caused by the complete absence of any color-causing impurities in the stone. The Bao Dai’s white color is so intense that it is often compared to the color of freshly fallen snow.
The Bao Dai is a truly unique and exceptional gemstone. It is a testament to the beauty and wonder of nature.
10. The Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace ($27.4 million)
The Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace is a stunning piece of jewelry that features 27 highly translucent beads of perfectly matched color, extremely fine texture and extraordinary majestic proportions ranging from 19.20 to 15.40 mm in diameter, as well as a patina and polish consistent with the fine craftsmanship from the late Qing period. It was sold at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in 2014 for $27.4 million, setting a new world record for any jadeite jewelry and Cartier jewel sold at auction.
The necklace is named after its two most famous owners: Barbara Hutton, an American socialite and heiress, and Princess Nina Mdivani, a Georgian socialite and fashion icon. Hutton purchased the necklace in 1933 from Cartier Paris for $150,000, an exorbitant sum at the time. She wore it frequently to social events and on the red carpet, and it became one of her signature pieces of jewelry.
In 1947, Hutton sold the necklace to Mdivani for $200,000. Mdivani also wore the necklace frequently, and it was featured in several fashion magazines of the time. After Mdivani’s death in 1987, the necklace passed to her daughter, Princess Diane de Polignac.
In 2014, the necklace was sold at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong for $27.4 million to an anonymous buyer. The sale set a new world record for any jadeite jewelry and Cartier jewel sold at auction.
The Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace is a truly unique and exceptional piece of jewelry. It is a testament to the beauty and rarity of jadeite, as well as the skill and craftsmanship of the Cartier jewelers. It is also a symbol of wealth, power, and timeless elegance.
The 10 most expensive jewelry pieces ever sold are truly remarkable works of art. They are a testament to the beauty and rarity of gemstones, as well as the skill and craftsmanship of the jewelers who created them. These pieces are also symbols of wealth, power, and timeless elegance.
Here is a brief summary of each piece:
- The Hope Diamond: A 45.52-carat deep blue diamond with a curse rumored to bring bad luck to its owners.
- The Peacock Brooch: A stunning piece of jewelry inspired by the peacock bird, featuring a large blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds and emeralds.
- The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond: A 31.06-carat deep blue diamond with a rich history, once owned by the Bavarian royal family and Empress Elizabeth of Austria.
- The Pink Star: A 59.60-carat pink diamond, the largest and most valuable pink diamond ever sold at auction.
- The Oppenheimer Blue: A 14.62-carat vivid blue diamond, the largest and most valuable vivid blue diamond ever sold at auction.
- The L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace: A stunning piece of jewelry that features a 407.48-carat yellow diamond suspended gracefully from a 229.52-carat white diamond necklace intertwined by 18-karat rose gold branchlets.
- The Blue Moon of Josephine: A 12.03-carat cushion-shaped vivid blue diamond, described as flawless by experts.
- The Graff Pink: A 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond, one of the largest and most valuable pink diamonds in the world.
- The Bao Dai: A 9.75-carat emerald-cut diamond, one of the largest and most valuable emerald-cut diamonds in the world.
- The Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace: A stunning piece of jewelry that features 27 highly translucent beads of perfectly matched color, extremely fine texture and extraordinary majestic proportions ranging from 19.20 to 15.40 mm in diameter.
These pieces of jewelry are truly awe-inspiring. They are a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
