Have you ever thought about what the most expensive things in the world look like? It might surprise you that some of them can fit in the palm of your hand. We are talking about gemstones, the tiny treasures formed deep within the Earth over millions of years.
Some of these stones are so rare and beautiful that people are willing to pay millions of dollars for them. Why? Because of their rich color, size, shine, and rarity. They are status symbols, investment pieces, and often, parts of history. In this article, we will look at the most expensive gemstones ever sold.
Here are the top 10 gemstones that broke records and made headlines around the world
1. Pink Diamond: Pink Star: 71.2 Million Dollars
The Pink Star is the most expensive gemstone ever sold. It is a pink diamond that weighs 59.60 carats. It was sold in Hong Kong in the year 2017 for 71.2 million dollars. This gemstone was mined in South Africa in 1999. It is the largest vivid pink diamond in the world. It has no flaws and shines very brightly.
2. Blue Diamond: Oppenheimer Blue: 57.5 Million Dollars
The Oppenheimer Blue is a rare blue diamond. It weighs 14.62 carats. It was sold for 57.5 million dollars. It was named after Sir Philip Oppenheimer. His family once owned the famous De Beers diamond company. This diamond has an emerald cut and a rich blue color.
3. Orange Diamond: The Orange: 35.5 Million Dollars
The Orange diamond is the biggest pure orange diamond ever found. It weighs 14.82 carats. It was sold in 2013 for over 35 million dollars. Most orange diamonds have a second color. This one does not. That makes it very rare and valuable.
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4. Ruby: Sunrise Ruby: 30.42 Million Dollars
The Sunrise Ruby is the most expensive ruby ever sold. It weighs 25.59 carats. It is a bright red ruby from Burma. It is set in a ring made by Cartier. The ruby was sold for 30.42 million dollars in 2015. Its name comes from a poem written by the poet Rumi.
5. Sapphire: Blue Belle of Asia: 17.3 Million Dollars
The Blue Belle of Asia is the most expensive sapphire in the world. It was discovered in Sri Lanka in the year 1926. It weighs 392.52 carats. It was sold in 2014 for 17.3 million dollars. The sapphire has a strong blue color and a cushion cut.
6. Yellow Diamond: Graff Vivid Yellow: 16.3 Million Dollars
This yellow diamond weighs 100 carats. It has a cushion cut and was sold in 2014 for 16.3 million dollars. The diamond was first a 190-carat rough stone. It was cut in New York. It is the most expensive yellow diamond ever sold at auction.
7. Red Diamond: Moussaieff Red: 8 Million Dollars
The Moussaieff Red is a red diamond that weighs 5.11 carats. It was cut from a larger rough stone found in Brazil. It is one of the rarest diamonds in the world. There are very few true red diamonds. This one was sold in the early 2000s for around 8 million dollars.
8. Emerald: Rockefeller Emerald: 5.5 Million Dollars
This green gemstone is known as the Rockefeller Emerald. It weighs 18.04 carats. John D. Rockefeller bought it in the 1930s for his wife. The emerald is from Colombia and has not been treated. In 2017, it was sold for 5.5 million dollars. It is one of the most expensive gemstones per carat.
9. Spinel: The Hope Spinel: 1.4 Million Dollars
The Hope Spinel weighs 50.13 carats. It was once part of the Hope Collection, which also included the famous Hope Diamond. This gemstone is believed to come from Tajikistan. It was sold in 2015 for 1.47 million dollars. It is one of the few spinels in the list of most expensive gemstones.
10. Opal: Virgin Rainbow: 1 Million Dollars
The Virgin Rainbow Opal was found in Australia in 2003. It shows many colors and even glows in the dark. It is a fossil that turned into opal over time. This rare gem is worth around 1 million dollars. It is one of the most expensive gemstones made by nature.
How to Sell Expensive Gemstones?
If you own any one of these most expensive gemstones, you may want to sell it one day. Here are some ways to do that.
1. Online Marketplaces
You can try selling your gemstone on websites like Craigslist or eBay. This way is easy and fast to start. But it is not always safe. There may be scams. It may also take a long time to find a buyer.
2. Jewelry Buyers
Some companies like myGemma buy designer jewelry with gemstones. They have experts who check the stones. They offer a price and even pay for shipping. If you do not accept the offer, they send your item back for free. But they only buy items from well-known brands like Tiffany or Cartier.
3. Auction Houses
You can sell your gemstone through an auction. Sometimes this helps you get a high price. The auction staff are experts. But auctions do not guarantee a sale. There are also fees and other costs.
4. Pawn Shops
This is a local and fast way to sell. Some people use it when they need money right away. You can even get your gemstone back later if you repay the loan. But pawn shops charge high interest. This is not the best way to sell the most expensive gemstones.
Final Thoughts
These world’s most expensive gemstones are rare and full of beauty. Each one has a story. Some were bought by kings and queens. Others were sold at world-famous auctions. These gemstones are pieces of history. If you ever own one, you hold something very special.
Many people dream of owning these most expensive gemstones. These gemstones show how amazing nature can be. They remind us that the Earth creates treasures no one can copy.
