Art & Culture

A Look at the Most Expensive Jewels Sold at Christie's Auctions in 2018

By Kendall Cornish on December 13, 2018

This is what nearly $145 million in diamonds looks like. 

© Courtesy Christie's

Painstakingly crafted and absolutely divine, the jewels sold at Christie's auctions this year are among the most expensive in the world.

Celebrating their 25th year as the leader of luxury jewelry auctions, Christie's wrapped up 2018 with a host of groundbreaking sales—including the largest and finest fancy vivid pink diamond in the auction house's history. The sheer size and hue of this rare jewel, according to Rahul Kadakia, Christie's international head of jewelry, "is pretty much unreal," allowing the piece to fetch over $50 million at the Geneva auction.

In addition to this incredible diamond, nine other impressive jewels were sold at auctions across the globe—from Hong Kong to New York and Geneva—for equally as impressive prices. The value of these ten gems alone makes up an astounding 30% of all those sold by Christie's this year, the total of which amounted to $492.3 million, according to the auction house. That makes what you're about to see worth over $147 million.

From Kashmir sapphire to blue and yellow diamonds, Harry Winston to Bulgari, these stunning pieces are the most extravagant sold at Christie's auctions this year.

 
Courtesy Christie's

Harry Winston, The Winston Pink Legacy

At $2,656,909 per carat, this 18.96 carat rectangular-cut fancy vivid pink diamond ring was realized at $50,375,000, making it the largest pink diamond in Christie's history and the most expensive piece of jewelry to sell this year. It was sold in November at Christie's Geneva.
Courtesy Christie's

Moussaeieff, Blue Diamond Necklace

This pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond necklace sold for $20,470,000 at Christie's Hong Kong in May. Its 8.01 carats are valued at $2,555,556 each.
Courtesy Christie's

Bulgari, Blue Diamond Ring

This cushion-cut fancy vivid blue diamond ring has 8.08 carats, each valued at $2,266,398. It sold at Christie's New York in December for $18,312,500.
Courtesy Christie's

The Peacock Necklace

At Christie's Hong Kong in November, this necklace sold for $14,959,869. Crafted with Kashmir sapphire and diamonds, each of its 109.08 carats is valued at $137,146.
Courtesy Christie's

Pink Diamond Pendant Necklace

This heart-shaped piece was sold at Christie's New York in December for $612,950 per carat. At 15.56 carat, the necklace was realized at $9,537,500.
Courtesy Christie's

Burmese Ruby and Diamond Ring

This ring, featuring 10.04-carat Burmese ruby and diamonds, sold for $7,233,626 at Christie's Hong Kong in November. Each carat is valued at $720,481.
Courtesy Christie's

Harry Winston, Diamond

For $6,500,000, this cushion brilliant-cut D color diamond sold at Christie's Geneva in May. The piece is valued at $129,000 per carat and features 50.47 carats.
Courtesy Christie's

Purple-pink Diamond

At $736,000 per carat, this 8.52 carat rectangular-cut fancy intense purple-pink diamond sold at Christie's Geneva in May for $6,275,000.
Courtesy Christie's

Yellow Diamond

This rectangular-cut fancy vivid diamond piece of 20.49 carats, each valued at $260,000, sold at Christie's Geneva for $5,487,500 in May.
Courtesy Christie's

Blue Diamond Ring

At Christie's New York in April, this rectangular-cut fancy intense blue diamond ring sold for $5,375,000—making each of the diamond's 8.52 carats valued at $268,000.

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