Earrings have always been delicate heritage pieces of jewelry that cost big bucks.
Precious earrings have a fascinating history behind their creation and ownership. Many of the valuable gem earrings in the world are owned by royal families and the elite. At an exclusive auction held in Geneva by Sotheby’s in 2017, the world’s most expensive pearl-shaped diamond earrings were sold. The oddly paired blue and pink diamond earrings are named after the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis. The Artemis Pink type II diamond was individually priced at $15, 338,176 and the Apollo Blue Vivid diamond at $42, 087,302 respectively. An epic prize for a gem collector, an anonymous buyer bought the pair for approximately $57.4 million. Let us look at some of the most expensive earrings in the world.
The infamous Maria Antoinette diamond earrings were acquired by Napoleon III and gifted to Empress Eugenie after the Guillotine of the French Queen during the French revolution. It was donated to the Smithsonian Institute and remained there as a precious exhibit in the National Museum of Natural History.
8 Maria Antoinette Diamond Earrings ($1 Million)
The infamous Queen of France, Maria Antoinette, was a connoisseur of fine jewelry. Unfortunately, her diamond collection was misplaced during the French Revolution, and she met her fate at the Guillotine. According to The Market Herald, one of her diamond drop earrings gifted by Louis XVI found its way to Empress Eugenie’s collection. From there, it became part of Russia’s Grand Duchess Tatiana Yousupoff’s heirloom. Years later, the luxury brand Cartier acquired the gorgeous drop diamonds. The 34.6-carat, $1 million worth pair of diamond earrings now stand exhibited at the National Museum of Natural History.
7 Diamond And Pearl Earrings ($1.2 Million)
The beautiful pear-shaped diamonds hanging from pearls are a sight to behold. The $1.2 million diamond earrings were obtained from the exquisite Golconda mines in India. It is known to be one of the purest forms of diamond found in the Asian continent. These are sold at high prices at private auctions.
6 Empress Eugenie Earrings ($3.3 Million)
Empress Eugenie, the last Empress of France, had exquisite taste in vintage jewelry. She owned an unusual diamond jewelry collection. One such bespoke item is a classic pair of natural pearl drop earrings set in diamonds. It commanded multi-million dollar attention at auction due to its natural oyster-made pearl set. It fetched approximately $3.3 million, making it one of the most expensive earrings obtained in history.
5 The Lorraine Schwartz Emerald Earrings ($3.4 Million)
The most iconic Oscar awards red carpet jewel of all time is the Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings and were worn by Hollywood diva Angelina Jolie for the 2009 Academy awards. According to Sotheby’s, the drop-dead emerald earrings are created by bespoke jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz, whose designs only cater to the Hollywood elite. The 115-carat gemstones are worth approximately $3.4 million.
4 Colombian Emerald Earrings ($4.8 Million)
According to Emeralds, the square-cut Colombian emerald earrings showcase royalty and have been one of the most prized possessions of stately families and rich celebrities through centuries. The 11.75-carat green diamonds cost approximately $4.8 million.
3 Golconda Diamond Earrings ($12.8 Million)
Processed from the Golconda diamond mines of India, this chunky pair showcases glamor and opulence with its intricate design. Each of the drop earrings contains 23.11-carat of Golconda diamonds. The main distinguishing feature of these types of diamonds is their colorless texture. The flawless pair is valued at approximately $12.8 million.
2 Miroir De L’Amour Diamond Earrings ($17.6 Million)
The Mirror of Love, widely known as the Miroir de l’Amour pair of diamond earrings, sold for approximately $17.6 million at the Christie’s Geneva auction in November. Weighing 52.55-carat and 50.47-carat each, the Boehmer et Bassenge pear-shaped pair is one of the most classic marquise-cut diamond earrings ever sold.
1 Apollo And Artemis – Blue And Pink Diamond Earrings ($57.4 Million)
According to Harper’s Bazaar, the Apollo and Artemis diamond earrings are the most expensive pair on earth. Auctioned at Sotheby’s for a staggering $57.4 million, the diamond earrings don’t even match in color. Named after the colossal Greek gods, the blue diamond Apollo costs a whopping $42 million, and the pink diamond Artemis is valued at $15 million. The blue diamond is counted among the rare 1 percent grading worldwide 11b. It weighs approximately 14.54-carat. On the other hand, the 16-carat pink diamond is classified as 11a, one of the most chemically pure kinds.
Each of these rare diamond earrings is part of rich culture and history. These pieces of resistance are a jewel collector’s delight and timeless classic designs that celebrate bygone eras.
Sources: The Market Herald, Sotheby’s, Emeralds, Harper’s Bazaar
