The 5 Most Expensive Fancy Color Diamonds Ever Sold at Auction
When it comes to the world of high jewelry, nothing commands attention—or record-shattering prices—quite like natural fancy color diamonds. These ultra-rare geological wonders account for a tiny fraction of a percent of all diamonds mined on Earth, making them the ultimate treasures for the world’s most elite collectors.
When these legendary stones hit the auction blocks at Sotheby's and Christie's, history is made. Here is a look at the top 5 most expensive fancy color diamonds ever sold at auction, their mind-boggling price tags, and the fascinating stories behind them.
1. The CTF Pink Star
$71.2 Million
The 59.60-carat CTF Pink Star diamond, the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction.
The Story Behind the Gem
The undisputed king of the auction block, the Pink Star is the most expensive jewel ever sold in history. Originally a massive 132.5-carat rough diamond, it took the Steinmetz Diamond Group two full years of meticulous cutting and polishing to reveal this breathtaking oval mixed-cut masterpiece.
Its journey to the record books wasn't without drama. It originally sold for $83 million in 2013, but the buyer defaulted. In April 2017, it returned to Sotheby’s Hong Kong, where luxury conglomerate Chow Tai Fook acquired it for $71.2 million, renaming it the CTF Pink Star in honor of their founder.
2. The Williamson Pink Star
$57.7 Million
The 11.15-carat Williamson Pink Star cushion-cut diamond.
The Story Behind the Gem
While holding the number two spot for total price, the Williamson Pink Star holds the definitive world record for the highest price-per-carat ever paid for any diamond at auction—a staggering $5.17 million per carat. This cushion-cut gem was named after the legendary Williamson mine in Tanzania, the very mine that produced the famous pink diamond gifted to Queen Elizabeth II for her wedding.
Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in October 2022 to a private collector in Asia, its ultra-intense saturation makes it one of the purest pink diamonds ever to exist.
"Fancy color diamonds represent one of the absolute highest concentrations of wealth per gram of any physical asset on Earth."
3. The Oppenheimer Blue
$57.5 Million
The 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue emerald-cut diamond ring.
The Story Behind the Gem
Named after Sir Philip Oppenheimer (whose family ran De Beers), this spectacular stone is the most expensive blue diamond ever sold at auction. Blue diamonds owe their color to rare trace elements of boron trapped deep in the Earth's mantle; finding one over 14 carats with even color distribution is nearly impossible.
Cut into a classic rectangular emerald step-cut—a daring choice requiring flawless saturation throughout—it was auctioned by Christie’s Geneva in May 2016 in a platinum ring setting by Verdura. Explore similar GIA-graded stones in our Blue Diamond Collection.
4. The Winston Pink Legacy
$50.4 Million
The 18.96-carat Winston Pink Legacy diamond.
The Story Behind the Gem
Another stone with historic pedigree once owned by the Oppenheimer family, this rectangular-cut gem stunned gemologists with its deep, chemically pure Type IIa structure. Most pink diamonds under a carat exhibit lighter tones, making an 18+ carat Vivid Pink extraordinarily rare.
When it hit the auction block at Christie’s Geneva in November 2018, luxury house Harry Winston acquired it for over $50 million, immediately renaming it the Winston Pink Legacy.
5. The Blue Moon of Josephine
$48.5 Million
The 12.03-carat Blue Moon of Josephine cushion-cut diamond.
The Story Behind the Gem
Discovered as a 29.6-carat rough stone in 2014, this cushion-shaped blue diamond is celebrated for its poetic color depth and flawless clarity. When auctioned at Sotheby’s Geneva in November 2015, Hong Kong businessman Joseph Lau purchased it for $48.5 million, naming it after his 7-year-old daughter. Today, it is safely preserved in a private family trust.
Inspired by Diamond History?
While these auction legends reside in private vaults, their iconic allure doesn't have to be out of reach. At Namdar Diamonds, we specialize in sourcing exceptional natural fancy color diamonds and creating bespoke custom high jewelry.
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