George Boyle
The carat weight of a diamond is a significant factor in determining its value and desirability. While larger diamonds are often considered more valuable, a heavier carat weight does not always equate to a larger diamond. The largest diamond rings in the world are typically owned by celebrities and royalty, with the most expensive and flawless diamonds being purchased by companies and millionaires. One of the most notable large diamond rings is the 68-carat diamond owned by Elizabeth Taylor, which became too heavy to wear as a ring and was turned into a necklace. Another impressive diamond ring is the Pink Star, a 59.60-carat oval-shaped, fancy vivid pink diamond, which sold for $71.2 million at auction. Aside from these famous diamonds, celebrity engagement rings also garner much attention for their size and cost, such as Beyoncé's 24-carat diamond ring from Jay-Z, and Jennifer Lopez's 15-20 carat emerald-cut diamond ring from Alex Rodriguez, which was valued at $5 million.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carat Weight | One carat equals one-fifth of a gram or 200 milligrams. |
| Biggest Diamond Wedding Ring | The biggest diamond ring is said to be 68 carats, owned by Burton/Taylor. |
| Most Expensive Diamond Ring | The Pink Star diamond ring, weighing 59.60 carats, was sold for $71.2 million. |
| Largest Clear-Cut Diamond | The Cullinan I weighs 530.2 carats and is the largest clear-cut diamond. |
| Largest Diamond in the World | The rough Cullinan diamond weighed 3106 carats, making it the largest rough diamond in the world. |
| Average Diamond Ring Size | Diamond rings range from 0.5 to 2 carats, with 1-2 carats being the average. |
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What You'll Learn
The Pink Star Diamond Ring: 59.60-carat, $71.2 million
The Pink Star Diamond Ring is a stunning example of nature's beauty combined with human craftsmanship. This oval-shaped gem weighs in at an impressive 59.60 carats and is a rare Type IIa diamond, renowned for its flawless structure and absence of measurable impurities. The depth of its vivid pink colour is extremely rare, with less than one percent of the world's diamonds classified as fancy colour, and only a handful of them in shades of pink.
The Pink Star's journey began in 1999 when a 132.5-carat rough diamond was discovered by De Beers in an African mine. The unearthing of this remarkable stone set in motion a two-year process of meticulous cleaning, cutting, and polishing, transforming it into the breathtaking gem it is today.
The Pink Star first made headlines in 2013 when it sold at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva for a staggering $83 million, setting a benchmark at the time. However, the buyer defaulted on the payment, and the diamond returned to Sotheby's, where its rare beauty and size continued to captivate diamond enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
Finally, in April 2017, the Pink Star Diamond Ring found its new owner. Chow Tai Fook, a Hong Kong-based jewellery company, successfully acquired the jewel for an astonishing $71.2 million at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong, making it the world's most expensive diamond ring ever sold at auction. The sale of the Pink Star not only broke records but also highlighted the growing importance of the Asian market, particularly China, in the luxury jewellery industry.
The Pink Star Diamond Ring is a testament to the incredible skill and precision involved in transforming a rough diamond into a flawless masterpiece. Its remarkable size, colour, and clarity have solidified its place in history, captivating the imaginations of gem enthusiasts and collectors for decades to come.
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The Graff Pink Diamond Ring: 24.78-carat, intense pink
The Graff Pink Diamond Ring is a stunning example of a large and rare pink diamond. Weighing in at 24.78 carats, it is one of the most famous pink diamonds in the world and has an exceptionally intense pink colour. The diamond is rectangular with rounded corners and is classified as a Type IIa diamond, which is the most sought-after category. These diamonds are extremely rare, with less than one percent of the world's diamonds classified as fancy colour, and only a handful of them being pink.
The Graff Pink Diamond was sold at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva in 2010 for a record price of $46 million. The diamond was bought by billionaire jeweller Laurence Graff, who named it the Graff Pink. The pre-sale estimate for the diamond was between $27 million and $38 million, but it far exceeded these expectations, becoming the most expensive single jewel ever sold at auction at the time.
Prior to the auction, the diamond was shown around the world and generated a lot of interest. It is believed that the diamond's unique colour is due to the way it absorbed light while it formed beneath the earth over millions of years. The diamond is set in a platinum ring with two flanking shield-shaped diamonds, enhancing its beauty and value.
The Graff Pink Diamond is considered "potentially flawless" and has a VVS2 clarity rating. However, it is believed that it could be made even more perfect with slight repolishing. Despite its already impressive characteristics, Mr Graff took the risk of sending it back to the polishing wheel, resulting in a 23.88-carat Fancy Vivid Pink IF (internally flawless) diamond. This moved the Graff Pink into the top two per cent of the world's diamonds.
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The Cullinan Diamond Ring: 530.20-carat, pear-shaped
The Cullinan Diamond is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, weighing 3,106 carats (approximately 621 grams). It was discovered in 1905 at the Premier No.2 mine in Cullinan, South Africa, and was named after Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the mine. Following its discovery, the diamond came into the possession of Thomas Cullinan, a South African diamond magnate and owner of the Premier Diamond Mining Company.
The Cullinan Diamond was cut into several smaller diamonds, the largest of which is known as Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa. This diamond weighs 530.20 carats (approximately 106 grams) and has 74 facets. It is pear-shaped and is considered the largest clear-cut diamond in the world. Cullinan I is set at the top of the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross, which is part of the British Crown Jewels and is housed in the Tower of London.
The second-largest diamond cut from the original Cullinan is Cullinan II or the Second Star of Africa, weighing 317.4 carats (approximately 63 grams). It is a cushion-cut brilliant with 66 facets and is set in the front of the Imperial State Crown, below the Black Prince's Ruby.
Several other smaller diamonds were also cut from the original Cullinan, including Cullinan III or the Lesser Star of Africa (94.4 carats), Cullinan V (18.8 carats), Cullinan VI (11.5 carats), Cullinan VII (8.8 carats), Cullinan VIII (6.8 carats), and Cullinan IX (4.39 carats). These diamonds have been mounted in various jewellery pieces, including crowns, tiaras, brooches, and pendants, and some have been worn by members of the British royal family, such as Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra.
The Cullinan Diamond is renowned for its size, clarity, and colour, and it has inspired generations of diamond enthusiasts. It is considered the cornerstone of the large diamond category and is one of the most famous diamonds in the world.
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The Enigma: 555.55-carat black diamond
The Enigma is a stunning 555.55-carat black diamond that made headlines when it was unveiled by Sotheby's Dubai in January 2022. This extraordinary gem, believed to be billions of years old, is thought to have originated from outer space, adding to its allure and intrigue.
The Enigma's connection to outer space is based on scientific evidence. Black diamonds, also known as Carbonado diamonds, are incredibly rare and naturally found only in Brazil and Central Africa. They are believed to have formed when a meteorite collided with the Earth 2.6 to 3.8 billion years ago. Carbonado diamonds contain trace amounts of nitrogen and hydrogen, elements found in interstellar space, further supporting the cosmic origin theory.
The shape of The Enigma is inspired by the Middle Eastern palm symbol of the Hamsa, also known as the Khamsa, which symbolizes strength and protection. The number five is significant in this context, as the diamond features exactly 55 facets or faces, aligning with the theme of the number five.
Sophie Stevens, a jewelry specialist at Sotheby's Dubai, emphasized the rarity of black diamonds and their extraterrestrial origins. The Enigma, with its impressive 555.55 carats, is an exceptional example of these mysterious diamonds. Sotheby's expected The Enigma to sell for up to £5 million ($6.8 million) when it went up for auction in February 2022, and it certainly lived up to its expectations. The final selling price was £3.16 million ($4.28 million) after fees, a testament to the diamond's extraordinary value and desirability.
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The Golden Jubilee: 545.67-carat brown diamond
The Golden Jubilee Diamond is the largest cut and faceted diamond in the world, weighing approximately 545.67 carats (or 545.65 carats according to another source) and measuring 109.13 grams. It is a brown diamond, graded as a "`fancy`" yellow-brown diamond—the conventional definition of a champagne diamond. It has a distinctive "`Fire-Rose cushion`" cut, designed by Gabi Tolkowsky, who was hired to cut the diamond.
The diamond was discovered in 1985 at the Premier Mine in South Africa, which is also the origin of the Cullinan diamond. In its raw state, the stone weighed 755.5 carats (or 755 carats according to another source). Due to its large surface, deep cracks, and several inclusions, cutting and polishing the diamond presented significant challenges. De Beers and Gabriel Tolkowsky constructed an underground room that was free from vibration before work could begin. It took two years to finish the stone, which was reduced to its current size from 755.50 carats.
The Golden Jubilee Diamond was purchased from De Beers by a group of Thai businesspeople led by Henry Ho in 1995. It was given to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as King Rama IX, as a gift from the people to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ascension to the throne in 1997. The diamond was named the Golden Jubilee in honour of the King's Golden Jubilee and was received by the King's daughter, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, on his behalf in 2000.
The diamond has been exhibited at various locations, including Henry Ho's 59-story Jewelry Trade Center in Bangkok and internationally in Basel, Switzerland, and Palo Alto, California, USA. It is now located in the Grand Palace as part of the Royal regalia and is on display in the Royal Museum at Pimammek Golden Temple Throne Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, as part of the crown jewels. The value of the Golden Jubilee diamond is believed to range between USD $4 million and $12 million.
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Frequently asked questions
The largest diamond wedding ring in terms of carats is the Cullinan Diamond Ring, weighing 530.20 carats.
The largest diamond in the world is the rough Cullinan diamond, weighing 3106 carats.
The largest diamond ring in the world by carat weight is the 150-carat all-diamond ring by Shawish Jewelers of Switzerland.
