Diamonds So Expensive, Even Billionaires Think Twice Before Buying!

When we imagine extreme wealth, private islands spring to mind—tropical paradises located in far-flung corners of the globe, complete with white sandy beaches, blue waters, and opulent villas. But in the world of actual extravagance, there's something more precious per square inch: diamonds. Some of the planet's most rare and unusual diamonds have sold at auction for prices many times the value of an entire island.

Let's enter the sparkling realm of these precious gems and discover just how they've eclipsed even the most romantic island resorts.

Leading the list is the stunning Pink Star Diamond, a 59.6-carat fancy vivid pink diamond that broke auction records in 2017 when it sold for $71.2 million at Sotheby's in Hong Kong. This internally flawless, oval-cut gem is the most valuable diamond ever sold at auction—and for good reason. Its size, color, and internal perfection are nearly unmatched.

To put it into perspective, $71 million could get you more than a dozen Caribbean private islands or several Maldivian luxury mansions.



This 14.62-carat vivid blue diamond is owned by its former owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer, whose family formerly dominated De Beers. The Oppenheimer Blue fetched an earth-shattering $57.5 million in 2016 and was known as the most expensive blue diamond sold at that time.

Its deep blue color and historic status render it a collector's fantasy. With $57 million, on the other hand, you can buy a 250-acre island in the Bahamas—and have some money left over for a luxury yacht.


Purchased by Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau for his daughter Josephine, the 12.03-carat fancy vivid blue diamond broke price-per-carat records when it was sold in 2015 for $48.4 million. Redesignated the Blue Moon of Josephine, this captivating diamond speaks to the sentimental worth and heritage usually associated with such jewels.

At that cost, you might purchase Necker Island, Richard Branson's renowned hideaway in the British Virgin Islands—and still have sufficient capital to construct a five-star hotel on it.

Laurence Graff, a renowned British jeweler, bought the Graff Pink in 2010 for $46.2 million. The diamond, which was previously owned by American jeweler Harry Winston, is one of the finest diamonds ever found and weighs 24.78 carats as a fancy intense pink diamond.

Its pale pink radiance and deep history rendered it a greatly sought-after jewel. $46 million would happily get you a string of tiny South Pacific islands or an intensively developed private atoll.

This 18.96-carat fancy vivid pink diamond set a record when Christie's sold it in 2018. Purchased by Harry Winston, the diamond was christened the Winston Pink Legacy. Its flawless color grading and rectangular shape make it one of the world's rarest pink diamonds.

A gem such as this would be able to purchase you your own private island in French Polynesia, with runway access, boutique resort, and even staff quarters.

There are several reasons why a diamond is worth so much money:

Color: Bright colors such as pink, blue, and red are very rare in diamonds. The deeper and purer the color, the more it costs.

Carat Weight: The bigger the stone, the exponentially more expensive it is because of its rarity.

Cut and Clarity: Perfect cuts and internal clarity significantly increase a diamond's value.
Provenance: The provenance of a diamond, particularly if connected with royalty, celebrities, or famous jewelers, can send prices soaring.

Though a private island might shout luxury, diamonds provide something even more luxurious—portability, endurance, and legacy. A precious gem may be worn, handed down, or kept safe as a small, portable fortune. Islands, however, are time-consuming and costly to maintain, develop, and protect.

In addition, diamonds have preserved their value and even increased with time. For wealthy individuals, they're more than adornment—they're assets and tokens of lasting prestige.

In an era of extravagance and record-breaking auctions, it's no surprise that some diamonds are more than mere sparkling accessories—they're status symbols, investments, and pieces of history. With price tags that approach or surpass those of private islands, these gemstones redefine what it means to own something utterly unique.

So, the next time you fantasize about having a sun-kissed tropical paradise, remember there are treasures out there smaller than a matchbox, but worth more than an entire piece of heaven.

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