Jewelry has always fascinated people, not just for its beauty but also for the stories and history behind each piece. Some jewels are so rare and exquisite that they fetch astonishing prices at auctions, becoming the most expensive jewelry ever sold. Let’s explore some of these remarkable treasures.
One of the most talked-about pieces recently is the Marie-Thérèse Pink Diamond. This stunning 10.38-carat fancy purple-pink diamond has a kite shape and was set by the famous jeweler JAR. What makes it even more special is its mysterious connection to French royalty, possibly linked to Queen Marie Antoinette herself or her daughter, Duchess Marie Thérèse de Angoulême. At an auction in New York, this diamond sold for nearly $14 million—almost three times its estimated value—setting records for both a fancy purple-pink diamond and a jewel designed by JAR.
Not far behind in value was another extraordinary gemstone called the Blue Belle sapphire from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Weighing an incredible 392 carats with a rich buttery blue color, it sold for over $11 million. This sapphire is one of the largest natural sapphires ever auctioned.
The auction also featured historic Mughal jewels from royal collections that fetched millions as well—a carved emerald necklace dating back centuries brought in $6.2 million, while other multi-gem necklaces with emeralds reached prices above $5 million.
Other notable sales included large diamonds such as an unmounted 66-carat round diamond selling for nearly $4 million and pear-shaped diamonds fetching over two million dollars each.
These auctions are not just about size or carat weight; provenance—the story of who owned these gems—is equally important to collectors today. Jewels connected to royalty or historical figures tend to attract fierce bidding wars because they carry a legacy beyond their physical beauty.
In addition to individual stones like diamonds and sapphires, some designer pieces have made headlines too. For example, Graff’s pear-shaped diamond necklace recently sold at around $1.8 million due to its exceptional craftsmanship featuring graduated pear-shaped diamonds with a detachable central drop.
What drives these high prices? Experts say it’s a mix of rarity, quality, historical significance, expert curation by auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s—and passionate collectors eager to own something truly unique.
These record-breaking sales show how jewelry can be much more than decoration—it can be art steeped in history that commands staggering sums when offered at auction rooms filled with excitement and anticipation from bidders worldwide.