Diamonds are amongst nature’s finest creations, and very few things can match the allure of a diamond that ticks all the four C’s — carat, cut, colour and clarity. Reflecting light from its edges, it is no wonder that they have been called founts of light and stars of hope. Although some of the world’s most famous diamonds are deemed priceless, others, especially pink and blue diamonds, have been auctioned across the world for record prices. Here’s a round-up of some of the most exquisite and unique diamonds in the world.
De Beers Cullinan Blue
Photo Courtesy: Sotheby’s
The De Beers Cullinan Blue diamond is an extraordinary 10.15 carat cut in a fancy blue hue. It is the largest vivid blue diamond ever to appear at an auction, and the largest internally flawless step-cut vivid blue diamond that the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has ever graded. Blue diamonds of this importance are exceptionally rare, with only five 10-carat-plus examples ever having come to auction. The diamond was up for sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in April 2022 fetching a jaw-dropping $57.4 million, making it one of the highest prices ever achieved for a diamond at auction.
The Juno Diamond
Photo Courtesy: Sotheby’s
A whopping 101.41-carat diamond, the Juno diamond is a flawless pear-shaped diamond perfection. It is one of twelve perfect diamonds that are over 100 carats ever to be auctioned. Aptly named after Juno, the Goddess of love, marriage and light, Juno’s rare, majestic qualities and undeniable beauty match those otherwise only heard in myths. At a recently held auction by Sotheby’s, the jewel was sold for more than $12.9 million at Sotheby’s New York Magnificent Jewels.
Dancing Sun Yellow Diamond
Photo Courtesy: Christie’s
Enviable yellow diamonds are often found at Tiffany & Co’s stores and everyone has their eyes on them. The 204-Carat ‘Dancing Sun’ Yellow Diamond is among one of the most unique and expensive diamonds to be auctioned by Christie’s. The Dancing Sun is an intense yellow diamond of 204.36 carats, VVS2 clarity, and is the largest polished diamond mined in North America. Sold for $4.95 million, the diamond is a visual delight, to say the least.
The Graff Pink
Photo Courtesy: Sotheby’s
The Graff Pink diamond is among the most iconic, beautiful, and rare pink diamonds in the world. Last sold for US$46.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2010, it is one of the most expensive transactions. Once owned by Harry Winston, the rectangular-cut 24.78-carat diamond was sold to Laurence Graff (from where it gets its name) at a Sotheby’s Geneva auction in 2010.
The Orange Diamond
Photo Courtesy: Christie’s
Back in 2013, the orange diamond is the largest fancy vivid orange diamond to have ever been sold at an auction. It was purchased for USD 35.5 million at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale in 2013. Pure orange diamonds are exceptionally rare, the auction house said. It is more common to find orange diamonds with secondary colours but this is a unique one. The fancy vivid orange pear-shaped diamond weighing approximately 14.82 carats was found in South Africa and was owned by early-20th-century Bolivian industrialist Simón Iturri Patiño, famously known as ‘The Andean Rockefeller’.
