Highlights
- From the De Beers Diamond Necklace to the Nizam Of Hyderabad Necklace, these one-of-a-kind necklaces are revered for their rare gemstones and historical significance.
- Each necklace has its own unique qualities that make it highly coveted among collectors, from the exceptional yellow diamond of the De Beers necklace to the impressive size and quality of the emeralds in the Emerald and Diamond Necklace.
- The Heart of the Ocean necklace, although fictional, captures our imaginations with its incredible size and rare blue color, while the L'Incomparable Diamond Necklace remains incomparable among other colorless diamonds.
Some of history's most jaw-dropping jewels have been one-of-a-kind necklaces featuring scarce, impressively large diamonds and colored gemstones. These unique pieces have garnered record-shattering prices at auction, fetching multi-million dollar sums from collectors seeking the ultimate jewelry trophy piece.
From the A Heritage in Bloom to the glorious Queen Marie Antoinette Necklace, these pieces are more than jewelry; they are living legends of human ingenuity and enduring beauty. Join us on this dazzling journey as we uncover the tales behind these magnificent adornments and the allure that make them some of the most valuable and coveted necklaces.
10 De Beers Diamond Necklace - $3.65 Million
Sold at Sotheby's auction in 1999, this De Beers necklace contains 478 diamonds, amounting to over 230 carats. The focal point is an exceptionally rare 10.3-carat "Fancy Intense" yellow diamond.
Most diamonds used in jewelry are colorless or nearly colorless, making fancy vivid yellow diamonds highly coveted. Intense yellow diamonds are found in less than 0.1% of global diamond production, commanding premium prices.
The necklace fetched $3.65 million at auction. It once belonged to former first lady of Argentina Eva Peron, before passing through several hands.
The De Beers name and distinctive yellow diamond provide enduring intrigue.
9 Bulgari Two-Row Necklace - $3.7 Million
A show-stopping two-row bib necklace created by the renowned Italian jewelry house Bulgari contains about 184 diamonds – totaling 230 carats – arranged in swirling floral motifs. The gems alternate between pink and white hues to create a distinctive ombre effect across the neckline.
The necklace exemplifies Bulgari's signature bold, colorful designs that have become a favorite of Hollywood celebrities. Its eye-catching design and top quality pink diamonds created sustained interest among collectors.
8 Marie Antoinette Necklace - $3.7 Million
The Marie Antoinette is modeled after a stunning necklace worn by Marie Antoinette, the ill-fated last Queen of France. The original 18th-century version was crafted by royal jewelers Charles Boehmer and Paul Bassenge.
It consisted of 647 diamonds weighing almost 2,800 carats, and it unfortunately disappeared (without a trace) during the looting of the French royal treasury in 1792. Boucheron's replica contains 647 diamonds (weighing 978 carats) in a graduated motif that evokes the lavish style of the French royal court.
In 2018, the necklace sold for $3.7 million at auction. Though it is a reproduction, its impressive quality and link to the last Queen of France contributed to its multi-million dollar valuation.
It continues Marie Antoinette's legacy of adorning noble necks over two centuries later.
7 Emerald and Diamond Necklace - $10.6 Million
This stunning necklace commanded $10.6 million at auction, and it consists of 50 emeralds from Colombia – totaling over 500 carats. The step-cut rectangular and octagonal stones are arranged in an enchanting leaf-like design with delicate diamond accents.
The emeralds were sourced from the famous Muzo emerald mine, lauded for producing the finest specimens. They achieve top ratings regarding color saturation, clarity, and cut.
The soft green fire emanating from the necklace distinguishes it from historic pieces. Christie's reported extensive interest worldwide for this standout suite of natural Colombian emeralds.
6 Ruby And Diamond Necklace - $12.76 Million
This ruby and diamond necklace sold at Christie's auction in 2015 for $12.76 million, and its high price can be attributed to the exceptional quality of the centerpiece rubies. Their coveted pigeon blood red is among the most desirable of hues – perfectly colored, without being too dark or light.
Their cushion cuts maximize the deep red saturation, and the simple alternating pattern of rubies and diamonds creates an elegant contrast between the fiery reds and icy whites. The necklace evokes styles of the Art Deco period, when aristocrats highly prized rubies worldwide.
Christie's noted that exceptional rubies of this caliber and size are increasingly scarce, commanding top tier auction prices.
5 Heart Of The Ocean Necklace - $20 Million
While technically fictional, the Heart of the Ocean necklace from the iconic blockbuster Titanic is modeled after the equally famous Hope Diamond, and it featured a vast blue diamond weighing well over 100 carats. Though make-believe, leading jewelers estimate that if it did exist, the Heart of the Ocean would easily be worth $20 million or more because of its incredible size and rare blue color.
In the film, the necklace was crafted from a once-massive diamond found in India in the 1600s. The gem was cut into a heart shape and set in an elaborate platinum necklace with hundreds of additional diamonds.
It was lost when the Titanic sank, only to be found again decades later. Though a fantasy, the Heart of the Ocean was inspired by accounts of the long missing and precious Hope Diamond.
Both capture our imaginations with exceptional blue diamonds, aristocratic backstories, and mysteriously unaccounted for gems.
4 Diamond Festoon Necklace - $23.4 Million
Weighing over 500 carats, eminent luxury jeweler Cartier designed this diamond festoon necklace in 1953. It was initially a gift purchased by Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton as a birthday present for her daughter on her 18th birthday.
The chain comprises 72 pear and oval diamonds in alternating white and yellow gold. The gradient color effect – from white to yellow diamonds – creates a lovely ombre flow across the collarbone. When it came up for auction in 2014, the diamond festoon necklace achieved an outstanding price of $23.4 million, confirming its place as one of the most valuable necklaces ever to sell at auction.
3 Nizam Of Hyderabad Necklace - $30 Million
The bib-style necklace contains over 2,930 diamonds, weighing 978.77 carats in total, and among these are seven highly impressive Colombian emeralds. When it came up for auction in 2011, the Nizam necklace reached an outstanding price of $30 million, cementing its place in history as one of the most valuable necklaces ever sold at auction.
The identity of the buyer remains a closely guarded secret. Christie's auction house noted that its rarity, remarkable provenance, and sheer diamond brilliance prompted tremendous interest from collectors worldwide.
2 L'Incomparable Diamond Necklace - $55 Million
The magnificent L'Incomparable Diamond Necklace, produced by luxury jeweler Mouawad in 2013, is currently the world's second most costly necklace. Surrounding the record-breaking gem are additional beads containing 90 white diamonds amounting to 229.52 carats.
The necklace was officially dubbed the most valuable necklace in the world upon its unveiling. The necklace is crafted to showcase its diamond in various settings, allowing it to be removed and worn as a pendant or brooch.
Of all the precious stones, the L'Incomparable remains incomparable among its colorless brethren.
1 A Heritage in Bloom - $200 Million
The world's most expensive necklace, Chinese jeweler Wallace Chan's A Heritage in Bloom, contains 383 carats of precious stones centered by a $35 million colorless diamond. At half a pound, it took 47,000 hours to create this crowning glory of craftsmanship.
The necklace has a modular design that allows it to be worn in 27 different ways, highlighting the complexity of its composition. With its record shattering valuation, A Heritage in Bloom stands in a league of its own as the epitome of jewelry craftsmanship and artistic imagination.
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