Some gems captivate with their size, others with their vivid colors or storied histories. The value of rare gemstones fluctuates like a sparkling stock market, making them not only stunning adornments but also real investments—a wearable symbol of prestige. But do you know just how much these dazzling treasures can be worth? Continue reading to discover six of the most valuable gemstones ever sold at auction.
The Rarest Gems in the World and the Market's Most Impressive Auction Results:
The Kashmir Sapphire
Sapphires from the Kashmir region are undeniably the pinnacle of this variety of corundum. Unearthed in the early 1880s after a landslide in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, Kashmir sapphires are revered for their scarcity and velvety blue hue. Unlike other colored gemstones, the sapphire's incomparable color remains stunning in any light. After the early 1900s, the discovery of new rough material in the Kashmir region diminished significantly, and the mines gained legendary status. These coveted gems rarely appear on the market.Kashmir sapphires are among the rarest gemstones in the world and rarer than diamonds, a distinction they share with Paraíba tourmaline, Red Beryl and black opal among several others. This Kashmir sapphire achieved the highest price per carat since 2015, at Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels live auction on May 14, 2024, which saw a series of exceptional results. The final lot of the sale was a sensational 17.29-carat, “royal blue” Kashmir sapphire that, fueled by global interest, pulled in $3.9 million.
To explore exceptional sapphires from Kashmir and beyond, browse our collection of natural sapphire jewelry online and in person!
The Graff Ruby
The Graff Ruby, an 8.62-carat Burmese gemstone, boasts a rare and mesmerizing pigeon's blood color, the most coveted hue in rubies. Its impressive size is particularly noteworthy, as large rubies—especially Burmese rubies over 5 carats—are exceedingly rare. What truly distinguishes this gem is its exceptional clarity; rubies with such high clarity are uncommon, and the Graff Ruby, with its minimal inclusions, exhibits extraordinary transparency and brilliance.
Renowned jeweler Laurence Graff purchased this magnificent stone twice, setting a world record for a ruby of its size at auction. After acquiring the gem, Mr. Graff named it the 'Graff Ruby' and, in a February 2006 Bloomberg interview, described it as having 'the finest cut and spread of color' he had ever seen. Often regarded as the finest ruby in the world, the Graff Ruby fetched an astonishing $8.6 million at Sotheby’s in 2014.
Want to steal the look? Explore our collection of monumental rubies!
The Estrela de Fura
The Estrela de Fura, or 'The Star of Fura' in Portuguese, is celebrated as one of the most valuable and exquisite rubies ever discovered. Weighing an impressive 55.22 carats, this extraordinary gemstone was unearthed in Mozambique and is distinguished by its exceptional size, clarity and vivid red hue, often described as 'pigeon's blood' red. The Estrela de Fura's unparalleled beauty and rarity have made it a highly coveted gem in the world of high-end jewelry and auctions.In 2020, it reached a historic milestone by selling for $33.3 million at a Sotheby's auction, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a ruby at that time. To find similar items, whether for investment or personal wear, shop our magnificent selections of rings, necklaces, bracelets and more!
| Ceylon Ruby Ring, 10.06 Carats. M.S. Rau. |
The Pink Legacy
The Pink Legacy's journey began around 1918 in South Africa, a region famed for yielding some of the world's most exquisite diamonds. This exceptional gem has an illustrious provenance, having once belonged to the Oppenheimer family, the iconic dynasty behind the De Beers diamond company.Weighing an impressive 18.96 carats, the Winston Pink Legacy is classified as a Fancy Vivid Pink diamond, the pinnacle of grading for colored diamonds. Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewellery at Christie’s, aptly remarked, “The saturation, the intensity of this stone is as good as it gets in a colored diamond.” Its vibrant hue and exceptional saturation make it a true marvel in the realm of colored diamonds. Of Fancy diamonds, pink stones are rare and highly sought-after gemstones.
The diamond is cut in a cut-cornered rectangular shape, a timeless style likely preserved since it was first fashioned in 1920. This classic cut accentuates the diamond's natural brilliance and beauty, ensuring it remains a captivating treasure nearly a century later.
The Pink Legacy captured global attention when it sold at a Christie's auction for a staggering 50.375 million Swiss francs (approximately $50 million). This record-breaking sale established it as the most expensive pink diamond ever sold, commanding an astonishing $2.6 million per carat. The diamond's monumental price underscores its extraordinary qualities and the intense competition among collectors eager to own such a rare and magnificent gem.
For more illustrious Fancy diamonds, look no farther than M.S. Rau.
| Natural Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond Ring, 1.50 Carats. M.S. Rau. |
The Oppenheimer Blue
Much like fancy vivid pink diamonds, the allure of blue diamonds runs deeply through gemstone connoisseurship. Oppenheimer Blue stands as the largest Vivid Blue diamond ever to grace an auction stage, a testament to its unparalleled beauty and rarity. Named in honor of Sir Philip Oppenheimer, a distinguished connoisseur and key figure in the illustrious Oppenheimer family, this diamond carries a legacy of excellence in the diamond industry. The Oppenheimers, known for their leadership and expertise, have had access to the finest gems in the world, yet Sir Philip chose this one for its flawless hue, impeccable proportions and stunning rectangular shape.
Weighing approximately 14.62 carats, the Oppenheimer Blue features a fancy vivid blue rectangular cut that exudes a captivating and vibrant color. This diamond not only represents a pinnacle of luxury and craftsmanship, as blue diamonds are among the rarest of all fancy colors, but also embodies a rich history of one of the most influential families in the world of gemstones. The diamond was sold for a staggering $50.6 million at Christie's auction house in 2016.
Are you intrigued? Explore a rainbow of colored gemstones on our site.
| Fancy Deep Blue Diamond Ring, 1.50 Carats. M.S. Rau. |
The Pink Star
The Pink Star is an extraordinary marvel in the world of gemstones, weighing an astonishing 59.60 carats and earning the prestigious Fancy Vivid Pink rating from the Gemological Institute of America. As the largest diamond of its kind ever discovered, it commands a level of admiration reserved for only the most exceptional jewels. Mined by De Beers in South Africa in 1999, the rough stone originally weighed an impressive 132.5 carats. The Beny Steinmetz Group, renowned for their precision and expertise, dedicated an intricate 20 months to cutting and polishing the gem, revealing its breathtaking beauty.What sets The Pink Star apart is not just its colossal size or its vibrant pink hue, but the rare combination of its impeccable clarity and masterful cut. Arrestingly impressive, it made a grand debut at a Monaco ceremony on May 29, 2003, capturing global attention and acclaim. It later graced the Smithsonian’s The Splendor of Diamonds exhibit alongside other legendary gems like the De Beers Millennium Star and the Moussaieff Red Diamond, solidifying its place among the most celebrated diamonds in history.
On November 13, 2013, Sotheby’s Geneva auctioned The Pink Star for a record-breaking CHF 76,325,000 (USD 83,187,381 including commission fees), setting a new world record for any gemstone. Though the sale to New York diamond cutter Isaac Wolf, who renamed it The Pink Dream, fell through, the diamond’s allure remained undiminished.
The Pink Star’s story continued to dazzle when it was auctioned again on April 3, 2017, in Hong Kong. This time, it sold for an astounding US$71.2 million to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, reaffirming its status as the most valuable gemstone ever sold.
From its meticulous craftsmanship to its record-breaking auction results, The Pink Star's journey is as captivating as the diamond itself. Whether known as the Steinmetz Pink, The Pink Dream or The Pink Star, this gem remains a symbol of unparalleled rarity, exquisite craftsmanship and exceptional elegance.
Though we may not have any 59.60 carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamonds (right now), we take pride in curating the most exceptional jewelry from around the world and look forward to finding the perfect accessory for you.
| Natural Fancy Pink Diamond Ring, 3.31 Carats. M.S. Rau. |
If you’re in the market for an astonishingly beautiful gemstone that truly is the best of the best, be sure to ask our experts for their favorite piece in our collection. We’re sure you will be amazed.
