Most Expensive Gemstones In The World

Isn't it just amazing how every time a celebrity gets engaged, it's like a dazzling competition to see who has the most lavish ring? Every new couple announcement comes with big, shining stones that are more fascinating than the last. It really gets you thinking, "Who could own the most expensive gems out there?" Doesn’t it? Well, imagine what the pinnacle of gemstone luxury looks like.

Today, we are taking a fun ride into the world of ultra-luxurious gemstones and seeing just how extravagant these sparkling wonders can get.

So, get ready for some serious bling envy!!!!

Blue Diamonds: The Jewels of Rarity

Revered as the pinnacle of gem luxury, blue diamonds are considered to be the most expensive stones in the world. The allure of blue diamonds lies in their exceptional rarity and extraordinary beauty. Their exquisite blue hues, ranging from deep navy to vibrant azure, are the result of trace elements like boron within the diamond's carbon structure. This unique coloring creates gems of unparalleled visual appeal and has contributed to their enduring popularity.

Blue Gemstones That Stunned the World:

• Hope Diamond: One of the earliest known blue diamonds is the "Hope Diamond," believed to have its first traces found in India in 1666 by French gem merchant Jean Baptiste Tavernier. The stone is steeped in legends and myths. From stories, including tales of it being stolen from an idol in India, to stories of it carrying an age-old curse with the capacity to bring misfortune to its owners, These stories have contributed to its mystique and notoriety over the years. While its value is considered incalculable, the Hope Diamond, a 45.52-carat blue diamond, has been on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., since 1958. Its rich history, including stories of curses and ownership by royalty, has added to its mystique.
• Oppenheimer Blue Diamond: In 2016, the Oppenheimer Blue Diamond, a magnificent 14.62-carat vivid blue diamond, set a new record by selling for an astounding $57.5 million at a Christie's auction in Geneva. This remarkable gem's unparalleled color saturation and flawless cut made it a symbol of opulence and elegance.

The Hope Diamond (Left) and The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond (Right)

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• Blue Moon of Josephine: In 2015, the Blue Moon of Josephine, a breathtaking 12.03-carat cushion-cut blue diamond, made history by selling for an astonishing $48.4 million at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva. The diamond's impeccable clarity and captivating blue hue set a new world record for the highest price per carat ever paid for a diamond.

Pink Diamonds

In the world of art and fashion, pink was never a common color. From captivating poets and artists of the Renaissance to becoming a favorite of the modern bourgeois, the subtle blends of this tone signifie novelty and elegance. As inventions and research sprung, prestigious institutions invested significant amounts of time in labeling various shades of pink. The Gemological Institute of America, commonly referred to as GIA, is an influential organization in the field of gemology and the jewelry industry. This non-profit organization provides accurate and unbiased grading of colored gemstones on the basis of color, cut, carat, and clarity. According to the institute, “of all the gemstones submitted to it, less than 5% are labeled as predominantly pink.”

The Pink Star Diamond

Among all pink gemstones, the pink star diamond stands out as one of the most renowned and costly gemstones globally. According to GIA, it's the largest naturally-formed pink diamond with flawless internal clarity and a strikingly vivid pink color. Historical accounts reveal that the process of cutting this diamond took more than two years. Initially weighing 132.50 carats, it was eventually reduced to 59.60 carats. This exceptional gem fetched a staggering $71.1 million at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong.

Pink Diamond: The world’s most expensive gem

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Other famous pink-colored gemstones that have shattered prices at auctions include:

• The Williamson Pink Star: It is one of the recent entries in the list of the most expensive stones. It is a rare-category-classified pink gemstone. It is an 11.15-carat cushion-cut gem with the most vivid pink color saturation ever discovered. The exceptional clarity, rough crystal structure, and perfect cuts earn it the reputation of being one of the most valuable gemstones in the world. According to reports, this internally flawless Tanzanian beauty was bought by an unknown buyer for approx. $57 million at an auction held by Sotheby’s Hong Kong. It is now counted as the second most valuable jewel in gemstone history.
• The Sweet Josephine: is a 16.08-carat fancy vivid pink gem with VVS2 clarity and was sold for $28.5 million at Christie's in Geneva. It was later mounted in a four-prong platinum and gold metal ring with sets of white diamonds in halo cut.

Williamson Pink Star (Left) and Sweet Josephine Pink diamond (Right)

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• The Unique Pink Gemstone: The 15.38-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid pink gemstone was cut by Cora International. It is known to be the world’s largest pear-shaped gem ever and was sold for $31.5 million in 2016 at Sotheby’s auction in Geneva.
• The Sakura Pink: a 15.81-carat fancy vivid pink purple-pink natural gem, was graded by GIA in February 2020. The exceptional internal clarity helped the Pink Sakura bag a whopping sale of $29.2 million at Christie's in Hong Kong in 2021.

The Sakura Pink Gemstone (Left) and The Unique Pink pear shaped gemstone (Right)

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Jadeite: The Emperor of Stones

Duisburg Green Dragon Jadeite Necklace (Left) and an imperial green jadeite stone ring with a beautiful fish motif (Right).

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Jadeite is celebrated as one of the most valuable gemstones due to its exceptional qualities and deep-rooted spiritual significance in Chinese culture. Known as "The Stone of Heaven," jadeite is revered for its purity and connection to spirituality. It has been a symbol of wisdom, harmony, and protection for centuries in China. One can often see it being carved in the shapes of beads to be worn as necklaces or rings and to attain higher wisdom.

The most prized shade of jadeite is an intense, vivid green known as "Imperial Green," characterized by its rich and translucent color. The rarity and beauty of this shade drive up its price considerably.

The most expensive stone of jadeite ever sold at auction was the "Duisburg Green Dragon Jadeite Necklace," which fetched a staggering $27.4 million in 2020. This remarkable necklace featured a large, highly translucent, and vivid green jadeite bead weighing 48.04 carats, surrounded by diamonds and other exquisite materials. The combination of its exceptional color, size, and historical significance contributed to its record-breaking price, highlighting the enduring allure of jadeite in the world of gemstones.

Ruby: The Heart of the Earth

Ruby: The Heart of the Earth

Ruby is renowned as one of the most astrologically significant and widely acclaimed expensive gemstones due to its exceptional rarity, remarkable beauty, and cultural significance. In Hindu astrology, rubies are considered to be the "King of Gemstones," and thus they hold a special place in an individual’s birth chart. They are associated with the sun, symbolizing power, passion, and prosperity. The belief in the astrological benefits of wearing a ruby has fueled its demand, especially among those seeking to harness its positive energies.

The "Sunrise Ruby" is often considered the most beautiful and valuable ruby in the world. Mined in Myanmar, this 25.59-carat Burmese ruby, characterized by its pigeon-blood red color, was sold at auction for a remarkable $30.3 million in 2015. Its mesmerizing hue and exceptional size contributed to its record-breaking price. The rarity of top-quality rubies with intense, pure red color and minimal inclusions makes them highly sought after and drives up their market value, solidifying ruby's reputation as one of the most valuable gems..

Emerald: The Green of Dreams

Emerald: The Green of Dreams

Emerald, with its richest green hues, can rival the freshest spring grass. It is regarded as one of the most expensive gems due to its exceptional rarity, rich green color, and cultural significance. In Hindu astrology, emeralds are associated with the planet Mercury and are believed to bring wisdom, intellect, and good fortune to those who wear them. This association has contributed to the demand for high-quality emeralds among those seeking astrological benefits.

The best emeralds can fetch prices that are nothing short of astronomical. One of the most beautiful and valuable emeralds is the "Rockefeller Emerald," an 18.04-carat Colombian emerald with a vivid and highly saturated green hue. It is apparently the world’s largest flawless emerald, setting a record for being sold at an estimated price of $5.5 million in 2017.

Octagonal step-cut Rockefeller Emerald ring

The allure of top-quality emeralds lies in their deep green color, often referred to as "emerald green," and their transparency. Natural emerald with these exceptional qualities are exceedingly rare, driving up their market value and cementing emerald's status as one of the most coveted and expensive gemstones.

Conclusion: A World Beyond Price Tags

As we conclude our journey, it's essential to remember that the value of these stones goes beyond their price tags. They are relics of the earth's history, symbols of human desire, and masterpieces of natural artistry. Whether it's the most expensive gem in the world or a more modest stone, each gem carries a unique charm and story, making it priceless in its own right.

So, the next time you see a stunning piece of gemstone jewelry, think of the incredible journey that stone has taken through the ages and the human craftsmanship that has enhanced its natural beauty. In the dazzling world of gemstones, every piece is a testament to the magic and mystery of our planet.

Also Read: Rarest Gemstones in World