What Is the Most Expensive Diamond Ever Sold?

Diamonds not only dazzle us but also have their story, scarcity, and the eye-popping valuations they command. But what is the most expensive diamond of world ever sold? This guide mentions record-setting diamond sales, what made them extraordinary, and what they teach us about value in the world of gemstones.

The Reigning Champion: The Pink Star (formerly “Steinmetz Pink”)

The most expensive diamond to be auctioned is so far the Pink Star, a 59.60-carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond that sold USD 71.2 million at Sotheby's in Hong Kong in 2017.

What makes the Pink Star so extraordinary?

• Color intensity:
  “Fancy Vivid Pink” is an extremely rare grade; large pink diamonds this saturated rarely come to auction.

• Clarity and cut:
  Top-tier clarity and masterful cutting maximize brilliance, making the stone visually stunning.

• Size:
  At nearly 60 carats, it’s immense for such a high-color, high-clarity pink diamond.

Because of these features combined, collectors paid a premium that, so far, remains unmatched in the diamond world.

Check out artificial diamonds Australia here!

Other Record-setting Diamonds Worth Knowing

The pink star is in the leading position, but there are quite a number of other diamonds that have set the records, especially the colored stones. The following are some of the historic highlights:

Check out the dia studs here!

Why Do These Diamonds Command Such Sums?

Extreme Rarity of Color

Intense pinks and blues are incredibly scarce. Colored diamonds, especially in large sizes and vivid tones, may only appear once every in decades. Their extreme rarity drives extreme prices.

Flawless or Near-flawless Clarity

Diamonds without visual inclusions or blemishes attract a high price among collectors. The fewer the imperfections, the less the compromises of light performance.

Legendary Provenance & Auction Hype

Many record diamonds have storied pasts, famous buyers or previous owners, and media buzz during auctions. That provenance can add immense emotional and symbolic value.

Expert Cutting & Presentation

An expert cutter can extract the best brilliance and colour out of a broken stone. The design will guarantee the beauty of the diamond being displayed, which enhances its perceived value.

Check out diamond earrings here!

Does “Most Expensive” Always Equal “Best”?

Not necessarily:

• Personal preference matters:
  You may prefer a beautifully cut colorless diamond over a colored spectacle.

• Value vs. beauty:
  The price of auctions is determined by the willingness of the collectors to spend and not necessarily by the daily beauty or a daily-use item.

• Budget constraints:
  Even record gems appeal more as stories than as attainable options for most people.

The Bottom Line

So, what is the most expensive diamond of the world ever sold? It is currently the Pink Star, sold for USD 71.2 million in 2017, and quite reasonably. That does not imply that other iconic stones are not competitors unto themselves. What these jewels demonstrate is that in the ultra-luxury diamond world, rarity, color, clarity, cut, and history are all joined to form tremendous value.