Expensive Diamonds in The World

Nothing says extravagance and luxury like diamonds. Elegant, timeless, and surprisingly durable, diamonds are highly sought after by the wealthy, famous, or anyone who values quality. Growing in popularity during the 14th century when they were becoming more available to European royalty, diamonds have a long history of being seen as a symbol of wealth and status, often reserved for only the wealthiest people in society. To this day, there is still an air of exclusivity surrounding these precious stones.

Kohinoor diamond is the most expensive diamond in the world, which has a priceless status due to its brilliance and uniqueness. The name Kohinoor is Persian and means “mountain of light.” The ownership of this diamond continues to be disputed, and it claimed that it was stolen from India by the British. With a weight of 105.6 carats, this colorless gem is now one of Britain’s crown jewels. Since 1849, only women were allowed to wear the Kohinoor diamond, which is widely believed to be cursed because many of its male owners have unexpectedly lost their power or died.

The Cullinan Diamond, also known as the Star of Africa, was discovered in 1905. It originally weighed 3,106.75 carats, making it the largest rough diamond ever found. It has since been cut into nine main diamonds (in addition to other smaller cuts) that are part of the United Kingdom’s Crown Jewels. The largest of the nine, the 530.2-carat Cullinan I, rests on a scepter with a cross. If the Cullinan rough diamond was discovered today, it could be worth more than $400 million. This priceless diamond has not been appraised recently.

Getty Images/EyeEm/Richard Smochek

Weighing 45.52 carats, the Hope Diamond comes from the Kollur mine in India. Since its discovery in the 17th century, the fancy dark gray-blue diamond has had a history of misfortune and tragedy. After being purchased by King Louis XIV, the diamond was stolen and reappeared nearly 50 years later. After that, stories of bad luck followed those involved with the diamond. When Harry Winston bought this diamond in 1949 and donated it to the Smithsonian Institution, it attracted many visitors. The Hope Diamond is now on display at the Smithsonian Museum.