Let’s take a look at the fine choices of jewelers when it comes to precious diamonds crafted artistically into a fine jewelry piece. All of the jewelry listed below are worth millions in double to triple figures; which means you can probably buy a whole island or even a small nation, in exchange of one. Pounce on the list and tell us your pick.
10. Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace by Cartier
Price: $27 Million
Cartier, which is one of the most famous jewelers of all time, created this splendid piece and valued it at a overwhelming price of $27.44 million. They called it as the The Hutton-Mdivani necklace and it is comprised of 27 splendidly-colored jadeite beads. Tycoon Frank W. Woolworth’s daughter, socialite Barbara Hutton, used to own this piece. It was given to her as a gift on her wedding to Prince Alexis Mdivani in 1933. Aside from Barbara, Princess Nina Mdivina has owned the piece as well.
9. The Diamond Bikini
Price: $30 Million
This piece of jewelry with a very interesting name is too expensive you wouldn’t wear it at the beach. The Diamond bikini was designed by one of the top jewelers of her time, Susan Rosen. This jewelry is composed of diamonds totaling to 150 carats that are set in platinum. Incidentally, Sports Illustrated model Molly Sims wore it for a shoot in 2006.
8. The Zoe Diamond
Price: $32.6 Million
This gorgeous blue diamond used to belong in the jewelry collection of philanthropist Paul Mellon’s wife. Simply because the piece is so beautiful, its estimated price of $15 million is easily overshadowed by the winning bid of $32.6 million at a Sotheby’s auction. Only weighing 9.75 carat, this piece is one of the world’s most expensive ones, as it is priced at around $3.3 million per carat.
7. The Orange
Price: $36 Million
Orange diamonds are not easy to come by. No wonder why this one made it to the top 10 most expensive jewelry list. This was the largest orange diamond tagged as fancy vivid to be ever sold at an auction. Although initially valued at $21 million, it auction price easily ballooned at $35.5 million, which made the piece’s jewelers quite happy. This gem costs roughly $2.4 million per carat.
6. Pink Emerald-Cut Graff Diamond
Price: $46 Million
This captivating 24.78-carat emerald-cut fancy intense pink diamond ring was bought by Laurence Graff at an auction. This private collector, along with the many jewelers, is taken over by the beauty and clarity of this piece. Although pink, the unmistakable purity and elegance of the stone make it one-of-a-kind. The rare stone is set on platinum, the finest metal of choice for a diamond so precious.
5. L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace
Price: $55 Million
If you’re given the chance to wear a rather heavy 637-carat diamond, would you do so? Indeed, The L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace is the world’s most valuable and largest diamond necklace. The stone comes in a beautiful yellow shade. It was discovered by a young girl some 30 years ago in Congo amongst a pile of kimberlite. Mouawad Jewelry spent over four years to craft and polish the stone. Their jewelers infused some 91 smaller diamonds into this fine piece of jewelry, which successfully increased its value to $55 million. The diamonds are set in an 18-karat rose gold.
4. The Pink Star Diamond Ring
Price: $72 Million
The value of this piece of amazing jewelry actually went up to as high as $83 million at a Sotheby’s auction. Unfortunately, the buyer, Isaac Wolf, wasn’t able to produce the amount he called for the jewelry so the auctioneers retained it and fixed its value at $72 million. This wonderful and very expensive jewelry weighs 59.60 carats. It was cut from a 132.5-carat rough stone mined in Africa by DeBeers. This rare gemstone is the type that most jewelers would love to have on their collection.
3. Wittelsbach Graff Diamond
Price: $80 Million
While this piece of jewelry ranks only third in this list, it certainly claims the top spot when it comes to notoriety. Wittelsbach-Graff is a deep blue diamond that became a significant piece in the Bavarian and Austrian Crown Jewels. However, Laurence Gaff, a famous London jeweler, bought it in 2008 for $23.4 million. To the aghast of other world-renowned jewelers, he decided to alter the piece. The move resulted to removing almost 4.5 carats from the stone, but drastically enhanced its clarity and value. The diamond became so spectacular that a Qatari royal family eagerly bought it for an astounding $80 million.
2. Peacock Brooch
Price: $100 Million
Imagine a piece of jewelry that costs more than an aircraft – that’s how much this one is. The Peacock Brooch has exactly 1,305 gemstones and weights a whopping 120.81 carats. This brooch made of deep blue diamond is so remarkable you can’t wear it and walk around without people noticing it.
1. The Hope Diamond
Price: $200-250 Million
This piece of jewelry maybe the most expensive in the world – but it is also the one you wouldn’t want to own. Folklore has it that the necklace is cursed. Although infamous, it was owned by famous people from Louis XIV to Harry Winston. This jewelry, however, is currently under the possession of the Smithsonian Institution. The piece is a breath-taking deep blue diamond that weighs 45.53 carats. Jewelers are astonished by the beauty of this piece.
But more than the precious diamonds, what’s quite notable about this piece are the ruby and diamond stones that are set in a platinum and gold clasps. The clasp is crafted brilliantly to secure the necklace when worn. According to accomplished jewelers this piece is the most coveted necklace in the world.
Amber is passionate about health and lifestyle and loves to write and share her knowledge. Amber has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and she loves to travel, read and watch movies.