Diamonds are among the most prized gemstones in the world, valued for their beauty, durability, and rarity. But not all diamonds are created equal – some are significantly rarer than others, making them highly coveted by collectors and investors. So what exactly is the rarest diamond in the world?
What Makes a Diamond Rare
There are a few key factors that contribute to a diamond’s rarity:
Size – Large diamonds over 1 carat are inherently rare. The bigger the stone, the harder it is to find one without flaws. Stones over 10 carats are exceptionally rare.
Color – Most diamonds have a yellowish tint and are graded in the normal color range. Truly colorless diamonds are rare and valued more highly. Diamonds can also occur in vivid colors like red, blue, green, pink which are exceptionally rare.
Clarity – The majority of diamonds contain inclusions or blemishes that affect clarity. Flawless or internally flawless diamonds with perfect clarity are very scarce.
Cut – Precise cutting impacts a diamond’s sparkle and fire. Only about 25% of diamonds are cut well enough to be classified as ideal cut.
Source – Natural diamonds from particular mines can be exceptionally scarce due to limited supply.
The Most Expensive Diamonds
Let’s look at some of the highest valued diamonds in the world, based on carat size, quality, and rarity:
The Cullinan Diamond – This massive 3,106 carat rough diamond found in South Africa in 1905 was the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered. It was cut into 9 large stones and over 100 smaller ones, many of which are part of British Crown Jewels.
The Hope Diamond – This famous 45.52 carat blue diamond was estimated to be worth over $200 million in 2016. Its rare blue color, large size, and history make it exceptionally valuable.
The Koh-i-Noor Diamond – Originally over 700 carats, this diamond found in India has a long royal history. After being re-cut, it weighs 105.6 carats and is part of the British Crown Jewels.
The De Beers Centenary Diamond – At 273.85 carats, this colorless diamond discovered in South Africa in 1986 is the third largest from the Premier Mine. It is classified as a Level 3 internally flawless stone.
The Steinmetz Pink Diamond – Fancy vivid pink diamonds like this 59.60 carat one are among the rarest in the world. It was mined in Africa and sold for a record $83 million in 2017.
Natural Diamond Colors and their Rarity
While colorless diamonds are most common, diamonds also naturally occur in various vibrant colors based on trace elements present. Here is an overview of natural diamond colors and their rarity:
| Diamond Color | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Colorless | Common – 65% of diamonds |
| Near colorless | Less common – 27% of diamonds |
| Faint yellow | Average – 5% of diamonds |
| Yellow | Uncommon – under 1% of diamonds |
| Blue | Rare – 0.0001% of diamonds |
| Pink | Extremely rare – 0.0010% of diamonds |
| Red | Extremely rare – 0.0020% of diamonds |
| Green | Extremely rare – 0.0025% of diamonds |
| Purple, Orange, Brown | Extremely rare – less than 0.01% combined |
As you can see, red, pink, and blue are by far the rarest diamond colors, with most stones falling in the colorless to pale yellow range. Vividly colored diamonds can be millions times rarer than a common colorless diamond.
The Jwaneng Blue Diamond
Perhaps the rarest diamond ever discovered is the Jwaneng Blue Diamond. Unearthed in 2015 at the Jwaneng mine in Botswana, this exceptionally rare blue diamond is estimated to be worth over $70 million.
Here are some key facts about this special diamond:
- Weighs 12.46 carats
- Cushion brilliant cut
- Classified as fancy vivid blue
- Internally flawless clarity grade
- Rarest blue diamond ever graded by the GIA
- Estimated at over $70 million value
Blue diamonds account for less than 0.0001% of all diamonds, making them incredibly scarce. And very few have the vivid blue coloration and flawless clarity of the Jwaneng Blue. This one-of-a-kind diamond is absolutely priceless.
The diamond’s discoverer, Petra Diamonds, sold a 20% stake in the stone to Diacore International for $15 million. This values the whole stone at an incredible $75 million – demonstrating just how much buyers are willing to pay for a diamond this rare.
What Makes the Jwaneng Blue So Rare
Here are the key factors that contribute to the Jwaneng Blue’s status as the rarest diamond:
Vivid Blue Color
– Natural blue diamonds occur due to the presence of the element boron during formation. But very few are graded as vivid blue, the most desirable shade.
Large Size for a Blue Diamond
– At 12.46 carats, the Jwaneng Blue is exceptionally large for a blue diamond. Most are under 1 carat.
Flawless Clarity
– The Jwaneng Blue is rated internally flawless, the highest clarity grade possible. No blemishes or inclusions are visible under 10x magnification.
Precise Cut
– Well-cut blue diamonds exhibit more desirable color saturation. The cushion brilliant cut maximizes the Jwaneng Blue’s radiance.
From the Famous Jwaneng Mine
– This prolific mine produces some of the world’s finest gem-quality diamonds. But large vivid blues like this one are still extremely rare here.
Other Contenders for World’s Rarest Diamond
The Jwaneng Blue Diamond has serious competition from a few other extraordinarily rare diamonds:
Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond – This 31.06 carat fancy deep blue diamond sold for $24.3 million in 2008. It’s flawless clarity and extraordinary color make it one of the rarest.
Hope Diamond – Its large size, fancy dark grayish-blue color, and illustrious history could rank it the rarest diamond of all.
Tereschenko Diamond – Weighing 42.92 carats, this historic stone has a fancy blue color grade and VS1 clarity. One of the largest blue diamonds known.
Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond – This cushion-cut 12.03 carat blue diamond sold for $48.4 million, the highest per-carat price ever.
Conclusion
The rarest diamond title represents significant prestige and value for a stone’s owner. But when it comes to the absolute rarest diamond, there are several contenders apart from the Jwaneng Blue. Factors like size, color grade, clarity, cut, and source all contribute to a diamond’s rarity. Blue colored diamonds are undoubtedly among the rarest diamonds. The Jwaneng Blue stands out for its combination of vivid blue color, flawless clarity, and size – cementing its place as one of the rarest diamonds ever discovered.
