TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE RINGS EVER SOLD AT AUCTION
Rings have long been a symbol of power, wealth, and love, but some are far more than just ornamental treasures—they are historic masterpieces, rare gems of nature, and multimillion-pound investments. From legendary diamonds once owned by royalty to extraordinary coloured gemstones that shattered world records, the most expensive rings ever sold at auction are testaments to both human craftsmanship and the Earth's rarest wonders.
Over the years, auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s have witnessed some of the most competitive bidding wars, with elite collectors and billionaires vying for ownership of these one-of-a-kind jewels. These rings are not only defined by their staggering carat weights but also by their unmatched clarity, colour, and provenance.
No.1 The Pink Star Ring – £55.54 million
The diamond that forms the centrepiece of the Pink Star Ring was originally discovered in 1999 by De Beers in a South African mine. The rough diamond was an exceptional find, weighing an immense 132.5 carats. Given its rarity and size, it immediately became one of the most valuable pink diamonds ever unearthed.
The process of cutting and polishing the rough stone took over two years, requiring incredible precision to enhance its clarity and colour while retaining as much weight as possible. The final result was a 59.60-carat oval-cut diamond, certified as fancy vivid pink and internally flawless—a truly unique combination in the world of diamonds.
On 4th April 2017, the Pink Star Ring went under the hammer at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. After an intense bidding war, it was sold for a record-breaking £55.54 million, making it the most expensive ring and the most valuable gemstone ever sold at auction.
The buyer was Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, a prestigious Hong Kong-based jewellery company. Following its purchase, the company renamed the diamond the CTF Pink Star in honour of the company’s initials and as a tribute to its founder, the late Cheng Yu-Tung.
Interestingly, this was not the first time the Pink Star had been auctioned. In 2013, Sotheby’s Geneva had originally sold the diamond for £60 million ($83 million), but the winning bidder defaulted on the payment. This made its 2017 sale even more significant, as it officially established the Pink Star’s place in history.
No.2 The Oppenheimer Blue Ring – £44.85 million
The Oppenheimer Blue Diamond, the centrepiece of this magnificent ring, was mined in South Africa, likely from the renowned Premier Mine, which has yielded some of the world’s most famous blue diamonds. Blue diamonds are already exceptionally rare, but those classified as fancy vivid blue with a flawless structure are even more extraordinary.
The diamond was previously owned by Sir Philip Oppenheimer, a member of the Oppenheimer family, which controlled the De Beers diamond empire for decades. As one of the most powerful figures in the diamond trade, Oppenheimer had access to some of the rarest and finest stones ever discovered. This particular blue diamond was one of his most prized possessions, and he held onto it for many years before it was eventually brought to auction.
On 18th May 2016, the Oppenheimer Blue Ring was put up for sale at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction. The bidding war was intense, lasting over 25 minutes, as multiple collectors vied for the rare gem. When the hammer finally came down, the ring had sold for £44.85 million, setting a new world record for the most expensive blue diamond ever auctioned at the time.
The identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, adding an element of mystery to the diamond’s ownership. However, experts believe it was acquired by either a high-profile private collector or a major jewellery house looking to preserve one of the rarest diamonds ever discovered.
No.3 The Williamson Pink Star Ring – £45.01 million
The Williamson Pink Diamond has a unique and rich heritage. It originates from the Williamson Mine in Tanzania, one of the world’s most famous sources of pink diamonds. The mine, named after Dr. John Williamson, a Canadian geologist and diamond mine owner, was discovered in the 1940s and quickly became renowned for producing some of the world’s finest pink diamonds.
The most famous stone from this mine was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present in 1947 by Dr. Williamson himself. That historic diamond was later cut into a 23.6-carat round brilliant-cut pink diamond, set into a brooch by Cartier, and remains one of the most cherished pieces in the British royal collection.
The Williamson Pink Star Diamond, from which the Williamson Pink Ring was crafted, was discovered as a 32.32-carat rough diamond. The world-renowned diamond manufacturing company Diacore took on the complex task of cutting and polishing the stone, refining it into the perfect internally flawless 11.15-carat cushion-cut gem.
At Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in October 2022, the Williamson Pink Ring stunned collectors and investors alike when it sold for HKD 453.2 million (approximately £45.01 million), making it one of the most expensive rings in auction history. This sale set a new per-carat record for any diamond or gemstone at over £4 million per carat.
The buyer remains anonymous, but given its royal lineage and rarity, it is speculated that it was acquired by a private collector or a high-end jewelry house looking to preserve or resell the historic piece.
No.4 The Blue Moon of Josephine Ring – £37.75 million
The Blue Moon Diamond was discovered in January 2014 at the Cullinan Mine in South Africa. This mine is world-renowned for producing some of the most extraordinary blue diamonds in history, including the Blue Heart Diamond, the De Beers Millennium Star, and, most famously, the Cullinan Diamond, which was cut into pieces to form parts of the British Crown Jewels.
The rough stone weighed 29.6 carats and immediately attracted international attention due to its rich, deep blue colour and exceptional clarity. Diamonds of this quality and size are among the rarest natural formations on Earth. Experts from Cora International, a New York-based diamond manufacturer, carefully studied the rough diamond before embarking on the meticulous process of cutting and polishing it into its final, flawless form.
The cutting process took over six months, as diamond cutters sought to preserve as much weight as possible while ensuring maximum brilliance and symmetry. The final product was a stunning 12.03-carat cushion-cut diamond, officially classified as fancy vivid blue and internally flawless—a virtually unparalleled combination of attributes.
On 11th November 2015, the Blue Moon Diamond was put up for sale at Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction, an event known for attracting some of the world’s most elite collectors and investors. Given its rarity, expectations were high, and bidding for the gem was intense and competitive, with several wealthy buyers vying for the rare treasure.
In the end, the winning bid came from Joseph Lau, a Hong Kong billionaire and real estate magnate, who paid £37.75 million ($48.4 million) for the ring. This set a new world record for the highest price per carat ever paid for a diamond, at an astonishing £3.14 million per carat.
Upon acquiring the diamond, Lau renamed it the "Blue Moon of Josephine", in honour of his seven-year-old daughter, Josephine Lau.
Remarkably, just one day earlier, Lau had purchased another incredibly rare diamond—a 16.08-carat fancy vivid pink diamond—at a Christie’s auction for £21 million ($28.5 million). He named this stone the Sweet Josephine. Lau’s extravagant purchases solidified his reputation as one of the world’s most passionate collectors of rare and historic gemstones.
No.5 The Graff Pink Ring – £35.88 million
The Graff Pink Diamond was previously owned by Harry Winston, one of the most influential and prestigious jewellers in history. Known as the "King of Diamonds," Winston was famed for his collection of some of the world's most remarkable gems, including the legendary Hope Diamond.
For over 60 years, the Graff Pink remained in a private collection after being acquired directly from Harry Winston. During this time, the diamond was virtually unseen by the public, adding to its mystique. Its flawless colour, rare pink hue, and exceptional clarity made it one of the most sought-after gems in existence.
On 16th November 2010, the Graff Pink Ring was placed under the hammer at Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction. The sale attracted global interest, with multiple bidders vying for the diamond, but the winning bid ultimately came from Laurence Graff, the British billionaire jeweller and founder of Graff Diamonds.
Graff purchased the ring for £35.88 million ($46 million), setting a new world record for the highest price ever paid for a diamond at auction at the time. Upon acquiring it, he renamed the diamond "The Graff Pink", securing its place among the most valuable and significant diamonds in history.
No.6 The Sunrise Ruby Ring – £23.73 million
The Sunrise Ruby was mined in Burma (now Myanmar), a country renowned for producing the finest rubies in the world. Burmese rubies, particularly those from the Mogok Valley, are highly prized due to their deep red colour, exceptional clarity, and natural fluorescence.
The term “pigeon blood” refers to the most coveted shade of red found in rubies, a classification reserved only for the rarest and most vivid specimens. This colour is completely natural, with no artificial enhancements, making it even more valuable.
On 12th May 2015, the Sunrise Ruby Ring was put up for auction at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels Sale in Geneva. Collectors from around the world were eager to acquire this extraordinary gem, and a fierce bidding war ensued.
The final hammer price reached an unprecedented £23.73 million ($30.42 million), setting three new world records:
- Most expensive ruby ever sold at auction
- Most expensive coloured gemstone ever sold at auction
- Most expensive non-diamond ring ever auctioned
The winning bid came from an anonymous private collector, ensuring the Sunrise Ruby’s legacy as one of the most treasured gemstones in history.
The Sunrise Ruby is remarkable not only for its size—25.59 carats is extraordinarily large for a ruby of this quality—but also for its clarity and near-perfect crystal structure. Most rubies of this size contain visible inclusions, but the Sunrise Ruby is almost entirely free of them, making it one of the finest rubies ever discovered.
No.7 The Winston Blue Ring – £18.56 million
The Winston Blue Diamond was mined in South Africa, a country renowned for producing some of the most legendary blue diamonds in history, including the Hope Diamond, the Blue Heart Diamond, and the Cullinan Blue Diamond.
Blue diamonds are among the rarest coloured diamonds in existence, accounting for less than 0.1% of all diamonds mined worldwide. What makes them even more remarkable is their natural deep blue colour, which is caused by the presence of trace amounts of boron within the diamond’s crystal lattice.
The Winston Blue Diamond is an exceptionally rare specimen, not only because of its size—13.22 carats is extremely large for a vivid blue diamond—but also because of its flawless clarity. Most blue diamonds contain inclusions, but the Winston Blue was graded Internally Flawless (IF) by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), a distinction that elevates its value significantly.
n 14th May 2014, the Winston Blue Diamond Ring was placed under the hammer at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction. Given its exceptional rarity, flawless clarity, and deep vivid blue hue, the diamond attracted worldwide attention from collectors and investors.
After an intense bidding war, the final price reached £18.56 million ($23.8 million), setting a new world record for the highest price paid per carat for a blue diamond at the time. The winning bidder was Harry Winston, Inc., a name synonymous with the world’s most prestigious jewellery collections.
The company’s CEO, Nayla Hayek, proudly announced the acquisition and renamed the gemstone "The Winston Blue," paying tribute to the brand’s founder, Harry Winston, often referred to as the "King of Diamonds."
No.8 The Perfect Pink Ring – £18.1 million
Pink diamonds are among the rarest gemstones in the world, accounting for less than 0.1% of all diamonds mined globally. The Perfect Pink Diamond, with its fancy intense pink colour grade, is considered a true natural wonder.
This spectacular Type IIa diamond is particularly significant because it is free from nitrogen impurities, making it one of the purest forms of diamond in existence. Type IIa diamonds make up only 1–2% of all diamonds, and when combined with a vivid pink hue, their rarity increases exponentially.
On 29th November 2010, the Perfect Pink Ring was placed under the hammer at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Sale in Hong Kong.
The bidding war was intense, with multiple buyers vying for the chance to own this once-in-a-lifetime gemstone. The auction ended with the final hammer price reaching £18.1 million ($23.2 million), setting a new record for the most expensive jewel ever sold in Asia at the time.
The identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, adding to the mystery and allure of this already fascinating diamond.
Additionally, the Perfect Pink Diamond is graded VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included) by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), meaning its clarity is exceptionally high, with only minute inclusions that are barely visible under magnification. This level of clarity is incredibly rare for coloured diamonds, as most tend to have significant inclusions.
No.9 Graff Vivid Yellow Ring – £12.71 million
The Graff Vivid Yellow Diamond was cut and polished by Graff Diamonds, one of the most prestigious luxury jewellers in the world. Founded by Laurence Graff, the brand has handled some of the most famous diamonds in history, including the Graff Pink, the Lesotho Promise, and the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond.
Before its transformation, the rough diamond was significantly larger. However, the cutting process was carefully undertaken to enhance its colour, brilliance, and clarity, ensuring that the final 100.09-carat cushion-cut diamond radiated exceptional fire and beauty.
Unlike traditional white diamonds, where brilliance is prioritised over size, coloured diamonds like the Graff Vivid Yellow are cut to maximise their hue and saturation, ensuring that the intensity of their colour remains dominant.
On 13th May 2014, the Graff Vivid Yellow Ring was put up for auction at Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels Sale. Given its unparalleled colour, clarity, and impressive carat weight, the diamond attracted a frenzy of international bidders eager to acquire one of the rarest yellow diamonds in existence.
The bidding was fierce, and after intense competition, the final hammer price reached £12.71 million ($16.3 million), setting a new world record for a yellow diamond at auction. The buyer remains anonymous, but the ring continues to be one of Graff’s most famous creations.
No.10 The Bulgari Blue Ring – £12.25 million
The Bulgari Blue Ring was designed in the 1970s, a golden era for Bulgari's high jewellery designs. During this period, Bulgari became famous for its bold, statement pieces, often incorporating rare and colourful gemstones.
This particular piece was custom-made for a European collector, who retained ownership for nearly 40 years before it was offered for sale at auction.
Unlike traditional rings that feature a single centre stone, the Bulgari Blue Ring is a toi et moi (you and me) ring, an iconic two-stone design that symbolises love and connection.
The 10.95-carat blue diamond is a fancy vivid blue, the rarest and most desirable shade for blue diamonds, with an intense and evenly distributed hue. This blue diamond is of flawless clarity, making it even more extraordinary.
The 9.87-carat white diamond is a D-colour diamond, meaning it is the purest grade possible, completely colourless and of exceptional clarity. Together, these two diamonds create a striking contrast, enhancing the brilliance and visual impact of the ring.
On 20th October 2010, the Bulgari Blue Ring was put up for auction at Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels Sale.
Given its unparalleled rarity and exquisite craftsmanship, the ring generated massive interest from collectors and investors worldwide. After a highly competitive bidding war, the final sale price reached an astonishing £12.25 million ($15.7 million), setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a Bulgari jewel at auction at the time.
The identity of the buyer remains anonymous, but the ring remains one of the most iconic Bulgari creations ever sold.
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