The 40 Most Expensive Jewels Ever Sold at Auction

Over the past decade the price of rare diamonds and gems has skyrocketed. Buyers have dropped tens of millions of dollars on jewels, and the competition is intensifying. It seems there's no limit to what someone will pay to own the largest flawless diamond or a mesmerizing Burmese ruby. Some will pay top dollar to have the naming rights on a celebrated stone. Others pay for the bragging rights of wearing Queen Marie Antoinette’s pearl. Some drop millions in the name of love.

What gets top dollar? The six most expensive jewels—each above $40 million—were fancy colored pink and blue diamonds. They are rare natural wonders that auction experts compared to great works of art; there is only one and it can’t be repeated. But even better than art, buyers can wear these jewels every day—though some may require a security guard.

Here, the 40 most expensive jewels sold at auction.