We love jewelry! The way it sparkles in the sunlight, and the deep, rich colors you get from real gold and precious gemstones. The good news is that all the kings, Pharaohs, emperors, and rulers throughout history share our sentiment.
Gold and jewels have been a way for the rich to show off their rich, and a way for people to show how much they mean to each other. But some have gone to impressive lengths to craft jewelry that stands out from the rest. In fact, there have been some breathtaking pieces of jewelry created!
Below, you can find a list of the most expensive jewelry in the world. We’re not just talking pieces crafted by modern goldsmiths and jewelers, but pieces that have been around for hundreds of years.
With no further ado, here are 10 of the world’s most expensive jewelry pieces:
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1. Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond
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Imagine paying $80 million for a single diamond! The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond started as a 35.56-carat diamond of a gorgeous deep blue, one that was part of both the Bavarian and Austrian Royal Jewels.
In 2008, a British jeweler bought the diamond at a whopping $23.4 million and removed close to 4.5 carats, an act that infuriated other jewelers but ended up improving the value and clarity. It was sold to the Qatari Royal Family in 2011 for a staggering $80 million.
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2. Pink Star Diamond Ring
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The Pink Star Diamond currently holds the record for the most expensive ring ever sold at auction—making it one of the world’s most expensive jewelry pieces.
This oval diamond is a breathtaking pink stone weighing almost 60 carats. It was cut from a 132.5 carat stone from South Africa, and it’s believed to surpass anything in both royal and private collections.
Fun fact: the ring was actually sold for a mind-blowing $83 million at its initial auction. However, the buyer had to default on the purchase. The next bidder ended up paying $72 million for it—its current value.
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3. Hope Diamond
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The Hope Diamond is believed to be valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars range, but it has not been bought or sold in hundreds of years.
It was originally in the collection of Louis XIV, but was eventually donated by Harry Winston to the Smithsonian Institute back in 1958. The Smithsonian has held the diamond on display ever since.
Weighing in at 45.52 carats, this deep blue diamond is a truly magnificent specimen, but its value goes beyond just the weight and appearance. It has significant cultural value, and its high profile makes it an incredibly valuable item. Definitely worthy to be among the most expensive jewelry in the world!
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4. Peacock Brooch by Graff
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Hard to believe a brooch could sell for $100 million!
London-based diamond company Graff crafted the Peacock Brooch with more than 1,300 gemstones. The brooch weighs 120.81 carats, with a deep blue 20-carat diamond at its heart. It’s worth more than a private jet or the GDP of some nations.
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5. L’Incomparable Necklace
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With a name like that, how can you disagree that this item is among the most expensive jewelry?
The L’Incomparable Necklace was created by the Mouawad Jewelry Company, and is currently the most expensive necklace in the world—valued at $55 million.
The gemstone that is the heart of the necklace was discovered by a young Congolese girl among a pile of diamond by-product. The 407-carat stone is the largest internally flawless diamond in the world. The 102 smaller stones set into the necklace only add to the glory of the piece.
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6. The Orange
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The Orange is the world’s largest vivid orange diamond—one worth close to $36 million!
Sold at auction for $35.5 million in 2013, this gem was auctioned by Christie’s. It is currently the world’s priciest-per-carat gem. Each carat is worth $2.4 million.
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7. The Graff Pink
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When The Graff Pink went up for auction in 2010, the Sotheby’s auctioneers never dreamed it would sell for $46.2 million. Indeed, the ring was estimated at no more than $38 million!
This ring—featuring a nearly 25-carat pink diamond—was once owned by Harry Winston. The pink color is very rare, and it’s believed to be one of the greatest pink stones ever discovered.
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8. Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace by Cartier
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This Cartier necklace is worth a mind-boggling $27.44 million. The 27 jadeite beads range in diameter from 15.4 to 19.2 mm, dating back to the early 1900s. It was created by Frank Woolworth as a wedding present for his daught, the famous socialite Barbara Hutton, upon her marriage to Prince Alexis Mdivani.
The necklace is made even more beautiful—and more valuable—by the diamond and ruby clasp.
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9. The Zoe Diamond
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This diamond was once the star of Mrs. Paul Mellon’s collection, and one of the most expensive deep blue diamonds in the world today.
The pear-cut 9.75 carat diamond ring is currently priced at $32.6 million dollars. Oddly enough, the name “Zoe” comes from the Hong Kong seller who sold it to Sotheby’s.
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10. Chopard’s 201 carat Watch
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201 carats, made from 874 diamonds! The watch is a masterpiece of not just timekeeping, but also jewel-crafting. The colorful cluster of diamonds on this elegant jewelry makes it worth roughly $25 million.
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Imagine paying that much money for a piece of jewelry! For some people, it’s an investment worth making.
We at Twery’s believe jewelry is a solid investment, one that will only increase in value with age. It’s why we’ve set up a service to appraise your jewelry and give you an exact number for how much that piece is worth.
This will help you have an idea of how much insurance to take out, or how much you can expect to receive when you sell it. Our goal is to ensure you get only the best from your investment!
What did you think of this article? Were there any other items of jewelry you think deserve a place on the list? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you…