Jewelry has long been a symbol of wealth, power, and beauty. Some pieces are so rare and exquisite that when they come up for auction, they fetch staggering prices—millions of dollars that reflect their history, craftsmanship, and the stories behind them. Here’s a look at some of the most expensive jewelry ever sold at auction.
One standout is the Graff Pink diamond. This fancy intense pink diamond weighs nearly 25 carats and is famous for its vibrant color and size. It was sold for an astonishing $46 million in Geneva back in 2010. Pink diamonds are among the rarest gems on Earth, which makes this jewel incredibly valuable.
Another remarkable piece is a natural pearl pendant once owned by Queen Marie Antoinette herself. This pendant isn’t just beautiful; it carries royal history within it. In 2018, it was sold at auction for $36 million after fierce bidding wars broke out among collectors who wanted to own this unique treasure linked to French royalty.
More recently, Christie’s New York held an extraordinary Magnificent Jewels auction where several historic stones changed hands for eye-popping sums. The “Marie-Thérèse Pink” diamond—a 10-carat fancy purple-pink stone believed to have belonged to Marie Antoinette’s daughter—sold for $14 million, nearly three times its estimated value. This gem came set in a modern ring by JAR (Joel Arthur Rosenthal), known for his exceptional artistry in jewelry design.
The same sale featured other spectacular jewels like the Blue Belle sapphire fetching over $11 million and a carved emerald necklace connected with Mughal emperors selling for more than $6 million. Even smaller pieces like Van Cleef & Arpels’ ruby-and-diamond brooches exceeded expectations with prices reaching around $1.5 million each.
These auctions show how rarity combined with rich provenance—the story behind who owned or wore these jewels—can drive prices sky-high beyond just their material worth as precious stones or metals.
Even centuries-old items can attract attention: A signet ring from the 16th century known as the “Gresham Grasshopper” recently sold at London’s Noonans Mayfair auction house fetched over £42,000 (about $56,000), far exceeding its estimate because of its historical significance alone.
What makes these jewels so special isn’t just their sparkle but also their connection to history’s great figures—from queens to emperors—and master craftsmen who turned raw gems into breathtaking art pieces treasured across generations.
In essence, when you hear about record-breaking sales like these millions-dollar diamonds or royal pearls being bought by collectors worldwide—it reflects not only luxury but also human fascination with beauty intertwined deeply with heritage and rarity that no ordinary object can match.