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Since prehistoric times, women and men have utilized jewelry not only as a form of adornment but also as a way of establishing their social status in society.
The more precious the jewels around your neck, the more power you commanded. In the Middle Ages for example, only nobility were allowed to wear jewelry. The dawning of the Renaissance established the importance of the royal jewels in courts; King Henry VIII, for example had a huge collection of precious metals and diamonds.
While in the 21st Century we might prefer to establish our social rank in the form of a Bentley, a house in Bel Air, or a couple of yachts in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas, there are still many wealthy people who also love to adorn themselves with lavish jewels. Whether it’s diamonds, rubies, blue garnets or jadeite stones, precious jewelry pieces today can run into the millions. Luxe High Life takes a look at the world’s top 10 most expensive to date.
10. Wallis Simpson Panther Bracelet
Once owned by Wallis Simpson, an American socialite and wife of Prince Edward Duke of Windsor, this Cartier designed diamond and panther bracelet reached $12.4 million at a Sotheby’s London auction in 2010. Madonna, who directed the film We, a story about Kind Edwards and Simpson’s love affair, was reportedly the purchaser of the bracelet although Sotheby’s would not confirm the rumor.
9. Emerald and Diamond Tiara
Previously owned by Princess Katharina Henckel von Donnersmarck, this stunning Emerald and Diamond Tiara features 11 rare Colombian emerald pear-shaped drops, that weigh in at over 500 carats. The Tiara reached $12.7 million at Sotheby’s Magnificent and Noble Jewels sale - $2 million above its previous estimate.
8. Heart of the Kingdom Ruby
Renowned as the most expensive necklace in the world, this stunning piece was crafted by one of the oldest jewelry companies in the world – Gerrard & Co. Featuring a huge 40.63 carat Burmese heart-shaped ruby and stunning diamonds that weigh in at 155 carats, the necklace can also transform into a Tiara. Its value is estimated at $14 million.
7. Bulgari Blue Diamond Ring
Bulgari’s two stone diamond ring features a triangular colorless diamond of 9.87 carats and a fancy vivid blue diamond weighing in at 10.95 carats. Designed by the legendary Bulgari house in the 1970s, it sold at Bonham’s Fine Jewelry auction sale in London for $15.7 million. The buyer was reportedly British billionaire jeweler Laurence Graff.
6. Chopard’s Blue Diamond Ring
This exquisite ring features a centrally placed flawless blue diamond that weighs in at 9 carats and a triangular shaped shoulder of diamonds set in a diamond paved 18k white gold band. Blue diamonds are the rarest and most sought after gems in the world resulting of course in very high price tags. Chopard’s Blue Diamond Ring is valued at $16.26 million.
5. The Heart Of the Ocean
Modeled after the fictional blue diamond heart necklace featured in the 1997 blockbuster Titanic that was supposedly previously owned by Louis XVI and cut into a heart shape after the French Revolution, the current Heart of the Ocean Diamond was designed by Harry Winston. Featuring a 15-carat blue cut diamond and valued at 20 million, it is also the most expensive piece of jewelry ever worn at the Oscars.
4. The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond
The 31.06 carats deep-blue diamond has not only a flawless interior but a history steeped in intrigue and mystery. For more than a half a century, its whereabouts was unknown until it appeared at auction in 2008. Originating from India, it was taken to Europe in the 17th Century as a gift bought by the King of Spain for his daughter Infanta Magarita Theresa in 1664. Three hundred years later, it was purchased anonymously at auction in 1964. In 2008, the British billionaire jeweler bought it for $24.4 million.
3. The Diamond Bikini
Perhaps the most interesting jeweled accessory on our list, the diamond bikini designed by Susan Rosen features 150 carats of D Flawless Steinmetz Diamonds all of which are free from inclusions or nature’s birthmarks. Worn by Molly Sims for a centerfold of the 2006 Sports illustrated swimsuit issue, the bikini, valued at $30 million, is the most expensive swimwear piece to ever exist.
2. White Diamond sold by Sotheby’s (Anonymous Seller)
Weighing in at 100 carats (roughly the size of a small egg,) this white diamond is considered the most beautiful diamond in the world. Sold at a Hong Kong auction for $30.6 million, the flawless white oval diamond was discovered in South Africa. Originally weighing 299 carats, it is the largest and most significant diamond to be graded by the Gemological Institute of America
1. The Graff Pink
Formerly owned by Harry Winston, this rare pink diamond, weighing at 24.78 carats, to date has been declared the most expensive jewel ever bought at $44 million dollars. Now dubbed ‘The Graff Pink’ after its current British billionaire jeweler Laurence Graff, the diamond displays a perfect pink champagne color and has been assessed as Diamond type IIa, placing it in the top 2% of the world’s diamonds.
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