Most Expensive Diamonds Ever

Diamonds are known for their beauty and sparkle, but there are many differences in the cost from one diamond to the next.  Have you ever wondered what the most expensive diamonds are ever? We will look at the top four of the world’s most illustrious and desirable diamonds below:

1. Koh-i-Noor 

This colorless white diamond weighs 105.6 carats was once the world’s largest diamond. Though its origin is not known, it has thought to originate in India during the 13^th century. Part of this diamond’s mystique is its sordid history, belonging to many different countries who fought over it in times of war, and was plundered often during battles.

It now is part of Queen Elizabeth’s crown jewels because it was presented to Queen Victoria in 1850 as a spoil of the Sikh War. At that time, the jewel was valued at the equivalent of $126,178,080 in today’s standards.

2. Sancy Diamond

Like the Koh-i-Noor, the Sancy diamond also has an unknown origin, thinking to have originated in India, and also has a history bathed in wars and feuds.

Thought to have been discovered in the mid-to late-1500’s,  this 55.23 carat, pale yellow diamond has passed from British, to Portugese to French royal families and was stolen during a raid in the French Revolution. The knowledge of its whereabouts was spotty until the Astor family purchased it in 1906 and then sold it to the Louvre in 1978 for $1 million, where it is on display today.

3. The Cullinan Diamond 

The Cullinan was found in South Africa in the early 1900’s and was a massive 3, 106.75 carats in rough form, the largest in the world. Soon after its discovery, it was given to Britain’s King Edward VII for a birthday present, and he had it cut into 105 different-sized polished stones.

The 9 largest are still in the possession of the British royal family. The largest, named Cullinan I, is pear-shaped and weighs 530.2 carats, and sits in the head of the Sceptre with the Cross, but can be worn as a brooch. The second largest, named Cullinan II, is rectangular and weighs 317.4 carats and is set at the front of the Imperial State Crown.

4. The Hope Diamond 

Currently on display at the Smithsonian Institute, the beautiful blue diamond weighs 45.52 carats and is set as the pendant on a diamond necklace.

Unknown in origin, it was first purchased in rough form in India by a French merchant, and weighed over 112 carats. France’s King Louis XIV bought it in 1668 and had it cut down to 67 carats. It was stolen just over 100 years later and didn’t re-surface until 1839 in possession of the Hope family. During its disappearance, it was cut down to its current carat weight. It was sold to a London dealer by the Hope family to pay off debts, who then sold it to a jeweler in New York.

It can be difficult to put a price on the most expensive diamonds ever because there’s simply nothing to compare them to. They are priceless because they are one-of-a-kind.

Question to ponder:  Does it matter to you, how much your “special someone” spends on a diamond for you?  We would love to hear your thoughts!

By: Kole for Samuel Kleinberg 

Image Credit: Diamonds and Stones