The Most Expensive Pieces of Jewelry in the World

Jewelry has traditionally been viewed as a symbol of wealth, power and prestige. Since the time of ancient kings and queens, a very beautiful stone and workmanship has remained a very beautiful thing to every beholder. There are those pieces which are not just decoration--they are legends. They are the most costly jewelry in the world, each of which has a legend as glittering as its shine.  

Today, we will discuss the most expensive pieces of jewelry in the world:

1.  The Hope Diamond – $200–$250 Million

The Hope Diamond, a 45.52-carat deep-blue diamond with an enigmatic and mythical history, is arguably the most popular diamond in the world. It originated from India, but has been in royal possession, held by King Louis XIV. It is given its unusual colour by some boron traces, and its alleged curse serves to increase its mystery. It is currently in the Smithsonian Institution and is estimated to be between $ 200 and $250 million.

2.  A Heritage in Bloom Diamond Necklace – $200 Million

This necklace is made by Chinese master jeweler Wallace Chan and it is a masterpiece indeed. It has 11,551 diamonds with a total weight of 383.4 carats and has a 104-carat internally flawless diamond at the center. The necklace is based on Chinese culture and philosophy and has 27 possible combinations to wear. Their workmanship and allegory have turned it into one of the most valuable jewels that have ever been designed.  

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3. The Peacock Brooch – $100 Million

The Peacock Brooch was a creation of Graff Diamonds; it is a very colorful piece of jewelry and stunning in design. At the center of it is a 20.02-carat deep blue diamond, surrounded by 120.81 carats of white, yellow, pink and orange diamonds set up to resemble the feathers of a peacock. This wearable work of art is worth 100 million dollars.

4. The Hallucination Watch by Graff- $55 Million

The haute couture meets timekeeping in the form of Hallucination, a watch that has more than 110 carats of rare colored diamonds. This is not only a watch, but a kaleidoscope of luxury set in a platinum bracelet. The fact that its cost is a staggering $55 million is a measure of the rarity of stones and also its design.

5. The Crown of British Empire - Priceless

Although it can not be sold, the Imperial State Crown is one of the most recognizable and precious pieces of jewelry in the world. It has the Cullinan II diamond (317.4 carats), the Ruby of the Black Prince, and the Stuart sapphire. It is indeed invaluable because of its history and royal connotations.

6. Affair of the Diamond Necklace - Valued at between 40-50 Million

This is a historical necklace that belonged to the unfortunate French queen, Marie Antoinette, whose reputation was bad and is a representation of decadence and gossip. The original has been lost, but copies and fragments have sold tens of millions of dollars at auctions because of the provenance and artistry.  

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7.  L Incomparable Diamond Necklace- $55million

8. Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace - 27.4 million dollars

This necklace with 27 highly rated jadeite beads was sold at Sotheby's in 2014 and has a clasp made of a diamond and ruby stone designed by Cartier. It is one of a kind and a blend of Eastern gemstone tradition with western design that once belonged to a socialite, Barbara Hutton.

9. Cartier Sunrise Ruby Ring 30M

This item is not a loose gem and is technically a ring, a full piece of jewelry. This 25.59-carat Burmese ruby, the Sunrise Ruby, is flanked by two diamonds in a platinum band. It is the priciest ruby ring because of its bright color and rarity.

10. Bulgari Blue Diamond Necklace -$15 Million+

This exquisite necklace has a rare blue diamond in the center, with white diamonds in a traditional Bulgari design. It is a perfect example of how the brand believes in being elegant and innovative, and has been sported by celebrities at significant red carpet events.

11. The Queen Mary Fringe Tiara - Priceless

Being worn by both Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Beatrice on their wedding days, this tiara is made of diamonds in gold and silver. The historical value and royal family background of this tiara have made it to be one of the most loved tiara’s in the world.  

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Why Are These Pieces So Valuable?

A number of things make these jewelry items astronomically expensive:  

Scarcity: Colored diamonds, particularly blue and pink, are extremely rare.  

Size and Quality: Bigger stones of perfect clarity and bright color are more expensive.  

Artisanship: Detailed design and the fame of the jeweler are extremely valuable.  

History: The value of a piece can be raised many times by history and provenance.  

Dynamics of the Auctions: Prices tend to go higher than expected when there is competition among highbrow collectors.  

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Final Thoughts