The Pink Star is a 59.60-carat oval-cut diamond with a color so intense it’s called Fancy Vivid Pink. That’s like the diamond version of winning the lottery. Most pink diamonds are tiny—like, you need a microscope to see them—but this beast is the size of a large grape. It was mined in South Africa in 1999 and then took nearly two decades to cut and polish.
Why so expensive? Rarity, my friend. Only 1% of diamonds are pink, and only a handful of those are over 50 carats. The Pink Star is like the unicorn of the gem world, but with more sparkle and less horn. The buyer? A luxury jewelry company called Chow Tai Fook, which immediately renamed it the “CTF Pink.” Honestly, I’d have renamed it “My Entire Future.”
But Wait—There’s the Hope Diamond
You might be thinking, “What about the Hope Diamond? Isn’t that cursed and famous?” Yes, it is, and it’s also incredibly expensive. But here’s the kicker: the Hope Diamond is valued at about $200–$350 million, but it’s not for sale. It lives in the Smithsonian Institution, where you can stare at it behind bulletproof glass. The Pink Star was actually bought and paid for, which is why it holds the official record. So, the Hope Diamond is like the rich uncle who never spends his money—just sits there looking spooky.
The Hope Diamond is 45.52 carats and has a famous blue glow that allegedly brings bad luck. Its owners have included kings, thieves, and a French royal named Marie Antoinette (spoiler: she didn’t end well). But you can visit it for free. The Pink Star, on the other hand, requires you to sell a kidney—or a few—just to touch it.
The Most Expensive Diamonds in the World (2026) - Dubai Sotheby's
