Diamonds, besides being the hardest material on the earth, are also among the most expensive.
They have surpassed time in their demand and are a universal sign of wealth.
Over time, people both rich and royal have used diamonds to store their wealth.
The rarest diamonds sell for large multiples of their gram for gram worth due to their uniqueness and among the most sought out treasures of the mega rich and mega royals.
Here are the rarest and most expensive.
1. Koh-I-Noor
This is a diamond that is truly priceless. The most expensive in principle, but the price is un-estimated. It is beyond valuation.
The name can be translated form Persian to mean Mountain of Light, which is accurate for its weight of 21.6 grams and a 105 carat count.
This diamond originated in Golconda in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.
The diamond has been traded or passed down by several Sikhs, and even Persian rulers have fought for it over generations.
Currently, the diamond is property of the crown og England and is kept in London, in the HM tower.
It is a popular attraction for tourists all over the world.
2. The Sancy Diamond
This is the second most expensive diamond in the world today, but is also priceless, just less so.
It is a 55.23 carat diamond and weighs around 11.05 grams. It has a pale yellow color and was once a possession of the greatest Moguls.
The diamond is believed to have also originated from India and was the first to ever large diamond to be cut into a design with symmetrical facets.
The cut is unique and has no pavillion, just a pair of crowns, one on top of the other.
3. The Cullinan
The third most expensive diamond in the world today, valued around $400 million, the Cullinan is a 3,106.75 carat diamond, with a weight of 621.35 grams.
The Cullinan remains as the largest rough cut diamond in the world, but has since been cut into smaller pieces, the largest of which became the Star of Africa or Cullinan I.
The Cullinan I is 530.2 carats and weighed 106.0 grams, making it the largest gem quality diamond in the world… For a time.
The title is now held by the Golden Jubilee, and was taken in 1985 when this diamonds final cut came out at 545.67 carats and a weight of 109.13 grams.
Both the Cullinan and the Golden Jubilee were taken from the same mine.
4. The Hope diamond
If you want the hope diamond, I hope you have a spare $350 million, and powerful negotiating skills. This diamond is 45.52 carats and weighs 9.10 grams and is currently on display in the Smithsonian Museum of National History in Washington DC.
To the human eye, this diamond is blue in color due to the boron traces in the crystal structure. However, under UV light, the diamond shines a phosphor red color.
5. De Beers Centenary Diamond
If this diamond were on the market today, it would fetch a cool $100 million or more for its owner.
The Gemological Institute of America classified this diamond at D level, meaning it is without fault internally and externally, and is the highest classification a colorless diamond can be given.
This diamond is 273.85 carat and weighs in at 54.77 grams.
This is the largest diamond extracted from the De Beer’s Premier Mine to date.
6. The Steinmetz pink
This diamond has an estimated value of $25 million if it were placed on the market today. The diamond has 59.60 carats, weighs 11.92 grams and has been rated by the Gemological Institute of America as vivid pink.
This particular diamond is the largest diamond in the world with such classification and has displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of National History.
It was among other diamonds that were a part of the “Splendor of Diamonds” exhibition.
Conclusion
There are many cut diamonds of many colors and grades in the world today. But, if you ever become mega rich, here is your shopping list of the cream of the crop.
Though some of these diamonds, since there discovery, have widely been considered to be priceless.
