Top 10 Most Expensive Diamonds Unveiled by Christie’s Auction House

News: Renowned for its dazzling jewel auctions, Christie’s Auction House recently revealed a remarkable 228.31-carat diamond set to headline the Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale in May. Acknowledged as the largest white diamond to date, this precious gem joins the ranks of the most sizable diamonds ever discovered, including the legendary Cullinan diamond.

While The Rock, as it is dubbed, claims the title of the largest white diamond, it falls short in comparison to other remarkable diamonds in terms of sheer size and historical significance. Explore the extraordinary world of the most expensive diamonds unearthed throughout history.

1. The Cullinan Diamond – 3,106.75 carats

Named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, this diamond is the largest crystal diamond ever found. Unearthed in 1905 at the Premier Mine, it was later cut into nine major and 96 minor diamonds, with the Cullinan I and Cullinan II remaining the largest at 530.20 carats and 317.4 carats, respectively. The Cullinan I is currently showcased in the Tower of London with the crown jewels.

2. Graff Lesedi La Rona – 1,109 carats

Discovered in 2015 at Lucara Diamonds’ Karowe Mine in Botswana, this square emerald cut diamond is the world’s largest. Sold to Graff in 2017, it underwent meticulous craftsmanship, resulting in Graff’s Lesedi La Rona, weighing approximately 302.37 carats, along with 66 smaller diamonds.

3. Debswana – 1,098 carats

Found in Botswana in 2017, the Debswana diamond, named after the Debswana Diamond Company, is the third-largest diamond globally and the largest in the company’s history. The rock, discovered in Jwaneng mine’s South Kimberlite pipe, has an estimated value of at least 40 million sterling pounds.

4. Star of Sierra Leone – 968.9 carats

Unearthed on Valentine’s Day in 1972 in Sierra Leone, this diamond was acquired by Harry Winston and cut into a 143.2 emerald-cut gem. After a flaw was noticed, the jeweler recut it into 17 smaller pieces, with a 53.96-carat pear-shaped diamond as the largest.

5. Excelsior Diamond – 995.2 carats

Discovered in 1893 at the Jagersontein Mine in South Africa, the Excelsior was the second-largest diamond in Africa before the Cullinan’s discovery. I. J. Asscher of Amsterdam cut it into ten smaller stones in 1904, with the largest being a pear-shaped gem weighing 69.69 carats.

6. Constellation – 813 carats

Mined in 2015 in Botswana’s Karowe Mine, the Constellation diamond, initially owned by Lucara Diamond Corp., was eventually purchased by Nemesis International for USD 63.1 million in 2016. After 18 months of work, the diamond was transformed into a 313-carat diamond.

7. Koh-i-Noor – 793 carats

Dating back to the 13th century and discovered in the Kollur Mine in India, the Koh-i-Noor diamond became part of the British Crown Jewels after being obtained by Queen Victoria in 1849. It was cut into a 186-carat oval-cut diamond in 1852.

8. Millennium Star – 777 carats

Found in the Mbuji-Mayi mine of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1990, this diamond is the second-largest colorless diamond in history. The De Beers Group sold it to the Steinmetz Group, which cut it into a 203.04-carat pear-shaped diamond, along with other smaller blue diamonds.

9. Woyie River Diamond – 770 carats

Discovered in Sierra Leone in 1945, the Woyie River Diamond was the largest alluvial diamond at the time. Displayed in 1949, it was later cut into 30 smaller diamonds, with the Victory Diamond weighing 31.35 carats as the largest.

10. The Rock – 228.31 carats

While not the largest diamond, The Rock holds the record as the largest white diamond. Mined and polished in South Africa over 20 years ago, it will be auctioned at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale on May 11, 2022. Auctioneer Rahul Kadakia likened its size to that of an egg.