What Is the Most Expensive Gem in the World?
By William Smith
Introduction
Gems have always been a symbol of wealth and luxury. As an expert in luxury items, I have always been fascinated by the world of precious stones, and I know that many of my readers are too. In this article, we will explore the most expensive gem in the world and what makes it so valuable.
Top Curiosities, Statistics, Facts, and Interesting Information
- The most expensive gem in the world is the Pink Star diamond, which sold for $71.2 million in 2017.
- The Pink Star is a 59.60-carat diamond and is the largest internally flawless, fancy vivid pink diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
- Other expensive gems include the Oppenheimer Blue diamond, which sold for $57.5 million in 2016, and the Blue Moon of Josephine diamond, which sold for $48.5 million in 2015.
- Most expensive gems are rare colored diamonds or precious stones like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.
- The value of a gem depends on its size, color, clarity, and cut, as well as its rarity and demand.
What Makes the Pink Star So Valuable?
The Pink Star is a remarkable diamond not only because of its size but also because of its color and clarity. Pink diamonds are extremely rare, and a vivid pink color is even rarer. The Pink Star is also internally flawless, which means that it has no visible inclusions or blemishes when viewed under 10x magnification.
The Pink Star was mined in South Africa in 1999 by De Beers, the world’s largest diamond company. It was originally a 132.5-carat rough diamond but was cut and polished into the Pink Star over a two-year period by Steinmetz Diamonds, a renowned diamond company based in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Pink Star was unveiled to the public in 2003 and was first sold at auction in 2013 for $83 million. However, the buyer defaulted on the payment, and the diamond remained unsold until it was finally auctioned in 2017 for $71.2 million.
Other Expensive Gems
While the Pink Star is the most expensive gem in the world, there are other precious stones that fetch high prices at auction. The Oppenheimer Blue diamond, for example, is a 14.62-carat fancy vivid blue diamond that was once owned by Sir Philip Oppenheimer, a member of the Oppenheimer family that controlled the De Beers diamond company. The Blue Moon of Josephine diamond, on the other hand, is a 12.03-carat fancy vivid blue diamond that was named after the daughter of its buyer, Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau.
Why Are Colored Diamonds So Valuable?
Colored diamonds are extremely rare and are valued for their uniqueness and beauty. While white diamonds are graded on the four Cs – color, cut, clarity, and carat weight – colored diamonds are graded on an additional criterion: the intensity of their color.
The GIA grades colored diamonds on a scale from faint to fancy deep, with fancy vivid being the most intense and valuable. Colored diamonds can come in many colors, including yellow, pink, blue, green, and red. The more intense the color, the rarer and more valuable the diamond.
Expert Opinion
The Pink Star is a truly exceptional diamond, says Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewelry at Christie’s, the auction house that sold the diamond in 2017. It is difficult to imagine a diamond that better illustrates the term ‘vivid’ than the Pink Star. The color is simply astonishing, and the diamond is also internally flawless, which is very rare in a pink diamond of this size.
Conclusion
Gems have captivated humans for centuries, and their value and beauty continue to fascinate us. While the Pink Star diamond is the most expensive gem in the world, there are many other precious stones that are highly valued and sought after. Whether you are a collector or simply appreciate the beauty of gems, the world of precious stones is always fascinating and enchanting.
FAQs
What is the most expensive gemstone?
The Pink Star diamond is the most expensive gemstone in the world, selling for $71.2 million in 2017.
What makes a gemstone valuable?
The value of a gemstone depends on its rarity, color, clarity, cut, and demand.
What are the most valuable gemstones?
The most valuable gemstones are colored diamonds, including pink, blue, and red diamonds, as well as precious stones like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.