The 10 Most Expensive Jewels Sold at Auction

Whether it’s tiaras, crowns, or a big ol’ diamond ring, jewellery has long been a symbol of wealth, power, and prestige. This is proven at the auction house where exquisite pieces get worldwide attention and sky-high prices. Over the years, some jewels have fetched eye-widening prices that reflect their rarity, history, and craftsmanship. Here’s a look at the most expensive antique jewels ever sold at auction.

1. The Pink Star Diamond

-Someone grab Inspector Clouseau because this diamond is a real-life Pink Panther! –

• Price: $71.2 million
• Auction House: Sotheby’s, Hong Kong (2017)
• Carat: 59.60
• Description: The Pink Star is a fancy vivid pink diamond, renowned for its whopping size and dazzling colour. The gem’s flawless clarity and exceptional hue make it one of the most coveted diamonds in the world. Mined by De Beers in 1999 in South Africa, Steinmetz Diamonds took a cautious 20 months to cut the Pink Star into its mixed Oval brilliant cut. This is the most expensive jewel sold at auction of all time.

2.Oppenheimer Blue

• Price: $57.5 Million
• Auction House: Christie’s Geneva (2016)
• Carat: 14.62
• Description: The amazingly brilliant blue diamond is set in a platinum ring, flanked on either side by a trapeze-shaped diamond. Commissioned by De Beers owner Philip Oppenheimer for his wife, this captivating diamond’s history is largely a mystery, other than the fact that it was mined in South Africa, likely sometime in the early 20th century.

3. Memory of Autumn Leaves & Dream of Autumn Leaves

• Price: $57.4 Million
• Auction House: Sotheby’s Geneva (2017)
• Carat: 14.54, 16
• Description: Opposites do attract in this case! These earrings are a blue and pink pair of fancy coloured pear-cut diamonds.

4. The Blue Moon Diamond

• Price: $48.4 million
• Auction House: Sotheby’s, Geneva (2015)
• Carat: 12.03
• Description: This blue diamond is not just famous for its beauty but its rarity. This is because it is classified as a fancy vivid blue- the highest grading for blue diamonds. It is the largest cushion-cut blue stone classified as “fancy vivid” ever to appear at auction.
• The head of Sotheby’s international jewellery division stated this is the highest-ever price per carat (over £4 million per carat). This makes it the most expensive jewel sold at auction per carat and the world’s most expensive diamond, regardless of color.
• Fun fact: Hong Kong billionaire (and fugitive with felony convictions) Joseph Lau Luen-hung bought the diamond and named it after his daughter- Josephine.

5. Estrela de Fura

• Price: $34.8 million
• Auction House: Sotheby’s, New York (2023)
• Carat: 55.22
• Description: This Mozambiquan ruby is famous for its deep red color, they called it as “pigeon-blood” red. This is the highest compliment of ruby colouring (though unappealing in sound). Sotheby’s billed it as the world’s largest gem-quality ruby, it is now also the most expensive coloured jewel sold at auction.

6. The Pink Legacy

• Price: $50.7 million
• Auction House: Christie’s, Geneva (2018)
• Carat: 18.96
• Description: Bought by Harry Winston this remarkable pink diamond has a stunning hue and perfect clarity. Pink Legacy was mined in South Africa (c. 1918) and was once owned by the Oppenheimer family famous for their historical connection to diamonds as runners of De Beers. The diamond has a cut-cornered rectangular cut and has likely not been altered since it was first cut in 1920.

7. The Princie Diamond

• Price: $39.3 million
• Auction House: Christie’s New York; April 16, 2013
• Carat: 34.65
• Description: The fancy intense pink diamond’s noble lineage dates to the Nizams of Hyderabad, but more recently it’s been the subject of a nasty family feud. It belonged to Italian politician and businessman Renato Angiolillo. After his death, his children battled over his estate and claimed that stepsiblings stole the stone.

-4 of the most expensive jewels sold at auction are pink!-

Learn More

• The 4Cs Explained
• How To Assess the Value of Antique Jewellery
• The Cullinan Diamond: A Gem of Legends, History and Controversy

8. Queen Marie Antoinette’s Pearl Pendant

• Price: $36.2 million
• Auction House: Sotheby’s Geneva, November 2018
• Carat:
• Description: This large natural pearl and diamond pendant belonged to Marie Antoinette!

9. The Orange

• Price: $35.5 million
• Auction House: Christie’s Geneva; November 12, 2013
• Carat: 14.82
• Description: This naturally occurring vivid orange fancy diamond is a rarity and a must for collectors

10. The Hope Diamond (Estimated Value) (bonus entry)

• Price: $250 million (theoretical; not sold at auction)
• Auction House: N/A
• Carat: 45.52
• Description: Though not sold at auction the Hope Diamond the most expensive jewel sold. Deep blue the Hope diamond is famous for its history, mystery, and supposed curse. Supposedly stolen from a Hindu statue, one of its unlucky victims was Queen Marie Antoinette. The jeweller who cut the original diamond of 113 carats to its 45.52 carats was murdered by his son to steal it.

-luckily the diamond is now safe behind glass at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C-

Conclusion

These extraordinary jewels are a testament that jewels age like (or even better than) fine wine. Whether for investment, admiration, or legacy, these gemstones represent the pinnacle of luxury and desirability. As the auction world evolves, it’s exciting to see what new records will be set.