One of the most exciting platforms in the world of diamonds is the auction platform, where the finest jewels are auctioned to the highest bidder. Many stones will appear in the roster, but the most unique, the largest, and the highest quality diamonds selected always become the highlights to these prestigious events. Viewing these items is just a small portion of the appeal. The peak of the drama is when the hammer comes down and a final sale price is announced. When that sum breaks a record, the excitement cannot be contained.

Can you imagine the excitement of those in the industry now that we are so quickly approaching the auction that will likely include the most expensive diamond yet to be sold at auction? With the enormous 59.60-carat Fancy Vivid Pink diamond about to be auctioned off for a steep estimate of $60, million, which will surely be exceeded, it is only fit to take a look back at some of the most expensive diamonds ever sold at auction.

Most Expensive Diamond Ever Sold At Auction: The Graff Pink $46 Million

At 23.88 carats, the Graff Pink became famous, not for its large size, but for the high sum paid for it at auction. The rare pink diamond was bought for over $46 million by Laurence Graff, hence the name. The renowned Harry Winston sold the stone 60 years ago, which now resides in a private collection. The Graff Diamond is currently the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction.

The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond – $24.3 Million

Another extremely expensive diamond, also with the Graff name, is the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, this time a Fancy Deep Grayish Blue diamond weighing 31.06 carats. The jewel dates as far back as 1664 and carries an intriguing story. Philip IV of Spain gifted his daughter with the fabulous stone in honor of her engagement. The diamond has been passed through royalty, misplaced, recovered, bought and sold, until it finally found its home with Laurence Graff in 2008, when it was purchased for $24.3 million. In order to enhance the color, Mr. Graff had the diamond cut down to its current 31.06-carat size, which enabled it to receive a Fancy Deep Blue Internally Flawless grading.

The Chloe Diamond - $16.2 Million

Unlike its two predecessors, the next most expensive diamond is a colorless diamond. The 84.37-carat diamond, named after the 12-year old daughter of Guess Company’s founder George Marciano, is a round brilliant diamond purchased for $16.2 million at Sotheby’s in Geneva. The Chloe Diamond has the highest grading and is an exceptionally unusual size for a brilliant-cut diamond.

The Sun-Drop Diamond - $12.36 Million, The Heart Shaped Diamond - $12 Million and the Rare Vivid Pink Diamond - $11.7 Million

These next three diamonds sold for $12.36 million, $12 million, and $11.7 million respectively. At 11.03 carats, the Sun-Drop Diamond is a pear-shaped Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond, which sold for the very first time in November 2011 for the impressive amount of $12.36 million. The 56-carat Heart Shaped Diamond was estimated at only $10 million but managed to bring in $12 million. It is the most expensive heart-shaped diamond ever to be sold at auction. A rare 5-carat cushion-shaped Vivid Pink diamond sold for $11.7 million at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Flawless Blue Diamond - $9 Million and Rare Blue Diamond - $7.9 Million

Known for its flawlessness, a 7.03-carat blue diamond sold for $9 million at Sotheby’s in Geneva. It only took fifteen minutes of biding for this 7.03-carat beauty to be sold to an anonymous bidder. Another blue diamond, this time a 6.04-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond from the Premier Mine in South Africa, sold for $7.9 million.

Shizuka Diamond - $6.21 Million

The fairly high price paid for the Shizuka Diamond is primarily related to its large size. The 101.27-carat colorless diamond sold for $6.21 million in Christie’s Hong Kong back in 2008. A private collector bought the stone for his wife.

Vivid Green Diamond - $3.08 Million

A 2.52-carat Vivid Green diamond sold at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2009 for $3.08 million. It is the largest green diamond ever to be sold at auction.

These exceptional and stunning diamonds sold for such astronomical prices and have become known as the most expensive diamonds in the world due to their unique attributes. Though they will surely remain famous, it is only a matter of time before yet another phenomenal stone such as the Pink Star arrive at auction houses and sell for record-breaking sums.