Gemstones are already considered rare, and diamonds are among the rarest. Of the most desirable diamonds, the ones that are the closest to colorless are typically desired. However, on the opposite side of the spectrum, once a diamond’s color reaches vivid, you have an extremely valuable fancy-colored stone. Fancy-colored diamonds come in all shades of the rainbow, some easier found than others, but these colorful gems are rarer than most D-colored diamonds. Check out this list to see some of the most valuable fancy diamonds in the world.
8. The Moussaieff Red
7. The Dresden Green
The gem was on display in Dresden until the beginning of WWII when it was moved for safekeeping. However, the USSR took the jewels to Moscow during the war. The USSR returned the jewels in 1958.
6. The Sun-Drop Diamond
In 2011, the Sun-Drop broke a world auction record for a yellow diamond, selling for $10.9 million to an anonymous bidder. However, the record has since been beat by the 100-carat Graff Vivid Yellow, which sold for $16 million.
5. The Ocean Dream
The stone is also remarkably large at 5.51 carats and it was found in Central Africa, but the mine and exact origins are unknown. It was auctioned by Christie’s in 2014 as a ring set in gold and platinum with pave set white and pink diamonds. It sold for over $8 million to an unknown bidder.
4. The Spirit of de Grisogono
In the end, the moghul-cut diamond weighs in at a whopping 312.24 carats. The stone was mounted in white gold set with 702 smaller white diamonds which totaled 36.69 carats. The owner and sale of the ring is unknown. However, it’s said that the Swiss jeweler de Grisogono has sold the ring.
3. The Golden Jubilee Diamond
The stone was discovered in 1985 in South Africa, and it was first thought to be an ugly stone. Now, with improved cutting technology, brown diamonds are coveted champagne diamonds. The cutting process took De Beers two years. After a series of transactions, the stone was gifted to the King of Thailand Rama IX for the 50th anniversary of his coronation in 1997.
2. The Pink Star
In 2013 the gem broke a world record at a Sotheby’s auction, with the stone selling for about $83 million — the most paid for a gemstone of any kind at auction. However, Sotheby’s had to buy the diamond back after the buyer from the auction didn’t pay and defaulted. Sotheby’s had guaranteed the original seller $60 million and had to pay in accordance to their agreement. Now, the diamond remains in Sotheby’s inventory valued at $72 million.
1. The Hope Diamond
Since the gem was discovered, the gem has passed through many hands, including Kind Louis XIV of France, King George IV of the U.K., Pierre Cartier and Harry Winston. Now, it resides at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. The diamond has been surrounded by mystery and tales of a curse that affects the owner and wearer of the diamond. It’s valued between $200-250 million.
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