In this article, we explore the world of high jewellery through the seven most expensive pieces ever created – and uncover how fine gold jewellery can be a lasting investment. If diamonds are your best friend, read on!

A Brief History of Jewellery

Around 100,000 years ago, the first ornaments made of shells, animal teeth, or stones were already used to adorn the body while signalling social status or group identity.

The introduction of precious metals – like gold, silver, copper – and rare gemstones like rubies, sapphires or diamonds marked a turning point: jewellery was no longer just decoration, but a store of value. For example, up until the 19th century, Frisian sailors wore gold earrings to fund their own funerals in case of shipwreck – a testament to the dual role of jewellery: adornment and tangible security.

Today, there are many iconic jewellery makers, including Cartier, Bulgari and Tiffany & Co., whose collections generate billions in revenue each year. Stone setters, polishers, engravers and gemologists dedicate many hours to crafting one-of-a-kind pieces.

Some of these creations achieve record-breaking auction prices, becoming true collector’s items. Below, we explore the 7 most expensive pieces of jewellery in the world.

The 7 Most Expensive Pieces of Jewellery in the World

1. The Hope Diamond

Valued at $250 million USD, the Hope Diamond is the most expensive and most famous jewel on Earth. This deep blue, cushion-cut diamond weighs 45.52 carats. It is now set in a pendant surrounded by smaller diamonds and hangs on a white diamond necklace.

The Hope Diamond is long rumored to be cursed. Legend claims it was stolen from a statue of an Indian deity and brought misfortune to its subsequent owners. According to historical records, it was acquired by French merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier and sold to King Louis XIV in 1668. The king had it recut into the famed French Blue.

The diamond was stolen during the French Revolution, reappeared in 19th-century England, and was renamed the Hope Diamond after its owner, London banker Henry Philip Hope. In 1949, New York jeweler Harry Winston donated it to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., where it remains today.

2. Graff Peacock Brooch

Valued at $100 million, this magnificent peacock-shaped brooch stands 10 cm tall and features 1,305 diamonds totalling over 120.81 carats. At its center is an extremely rare 20.02-carat blue diamond in a pear cut.

Unveiled in 2013 by London’s Graff Diamonds at the TEFAF art fair in Maastricht, the Peacock Brooch is considered the most expensive brooch ever created. It showcases Graff’s masterful craftsmanship and founder Laurence Graff’s significant influence in the global diamond market.

3. The Pink Star Diamond

The Pink Star Diamond is a 59.6-carat pink diamond ring valued at $71.2 million. The oval-shaped gem measures 2.69 × 2.06 cm and is mounted as a solitaire. Its Fancy Vivid Pink color is the highest GIA grade (the Gemological Institute of America grading system uses a 4Cs scale – cut, colour, clarity and carat weight to evaluate and grade diamonds).

Mined by De Beers in South Africa, it was cut by Steinmetz Diamonds over a period of two years. It set a world record at a Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction on April 4, 2017.

4. Shawish diamond ring

Swiss jeweller Shawish created the world’s first ring carved entirely from a single diamond. Weighing 150 carats, it is valued at $70 million.

Carving a ring from a single rough diamond required advanced laser-cutting technology and took a full year—an extraordinary technical and artistic feat. This groundbreaking piece redefined the boundaries of jewelry design and Swiss innovation.

5. The Oppenheimer Blue

The Oppenheimer Blue is one of the most exclusive diamond rings ever made. Weighing 14.62 carats and emerald-cut, it sold for $57.54 million at a Christie’s auction in Geneva.

Its Fancy Vivid Blue color is the rarest and most intense classification—found in only 0.0001% of global diamond production. Set in platinum by New York jeweler Fulco di Verdura, it was mined in South Africa’s Premier mine. The diamond is named after its former owner, British diamond magnate Philip Oppenheimer of De Beers.

6. L’Incomparable

Valued at $55 million, L’Incomparable (“The Incomparable”) is the most expensive necklace in the world. It features a central 407.48-carat Fancy Yellow diamond of exceptional clarity, paired with 229.52 carats of white diamonds, all set in 18k rose gold shaped like delicate vine leaves.

Created by renowned Lebanese-Swiss jeweler Mouawad, legend says the rough 890-carat stone was discovered by a young girl in mining debris in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Unveiled at the Doha Jewellery and Watch Exhibition in 2013, it was later purchased by Nita Ambani, wife of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, and gifted to her daughter-in-law at her wedding in 2019.

7. Apollo & Artemis

Apollo & Artemis are two extraordinary earrings, sold separately but acquired by one buyer for a total of $57.4 million. Both are pear-shaped: one blue and one pink.

Apollo Blue, weighing 14.54 carats, with a Fancy Vivid Blue certification, sold for $42.087 million—the highest price ever paid for a blue diamond at auction. Artemis Pink, weighing 16.00 carats and graded Fancy Intense Pink, sold for $15.33 million. It is among the most chemically pure diamonds, giving it exceptional optical clarity.

From Fine Gold Jewellery to Investment Gold

While the world’s most expensive jewels are out of reach for most, there are still ways to invest in gold!

Far from multi-million-dollar pieces, gold bars and coins offer a practical entry point into gold investing. They combine beauty, tangible value, and resale potential.

Gold coins are valued for their history, design, and liquidity. Popular choices include the South African Krugerrand and Austrian Philharmonic.

Gold bars come in various sizes (from 1 gram to 1 kilo), letting you invest according to your budget or preferences. For example, the Swiss PAMP Lady Fortuna gold bars are among the most popular on GOLD AVENUE.

Luxury Jewellery vs Investment Gold: What’s the Difference?

When buying gold jewellery, you're paying for more than just the metal. The value of each piece also reflects the jeweller’s craftsmanship, the time it takes to make, and the prestige of the brand.

Because of this, jewellery often carries a high markup that isn’t usually recovered when reselling, unless the piece is a rare or highly sought-after collectible. In the UK, there’s no specific tax on resale, but if the piece is not classed as an investment, any gains could be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), especially for items worth over £6,000.

Investment gold, such as bullion bars and coins, is treated very differently and offers several key advantages:

• Value based solely on gold content (not brand or design)
• Lower premiums – minimal manufacturing and no designer markups
• Exempt from VAT when buying recognised investment gold
• Capital Gains Tax-free for certain UK legal tender coins (e.g., Sovereigns and Britannias)

And best of all, some bullion products are beautifully designed – offering a balance between investment value and aesthetic appeal.

How to Choose Gold Jewellery

When choosing fine gold jewellery, consider both craftsmanship and gold purity. Look for hallmarks indicating the carat, as this reflects the gold’s quality. Pay attention to design and detail – well-made pieces will have smooth finishes, secure settings, and balanced proportions.

If you're buying as an investment, opt for classic, timeless styles from reputable jewellers. Lastly, always request a certificate of authenticity and ensure the piece is fairly priced relative to the current gold market.