There are many things that go on for centuries, and their era is remembered and never ends, Or simply say that there are some things that we can call old gold, although it’s not gold, even more, valuable than that.
Nowadays, there is no age bracket or gender for which pearl necklaces are best suited, Pearl necklaces tend to go on everyone.
And while traditionally these gemstones were the domain of women, today, more and more men are commencing to rock pearl strands for an extraordinary and statement look.
However, Like diamond studs or hoop earrings, pearl necklaces are a versatile staple of jewelry collections.
You can’t go wrong with one but, finding the right pearl necklace can prove tricky.
We’ve got you covered in this comprehensive article with the list of the top 10 most expensive pearls in the world in 2023, excited to explore?
Here, now is a list of the top 10 most expensive pearls in the world in 2023.
Why These Pearls Are So Expensive?
Today, pearl farmers plant foreign tissue into a mussel and then wait between six months to two years until the pearls are formed.
Because the process of creating a pearl involves a living organism, no one is entirely sure how a pearl might turn out until it is harvested.
However, the bigger and shinier the pearls are, the more expensive and valuable they are sure to be.
Similarly, A pearl’s value depends on many different things and how they interplay with the final product.
Most of the time, natural pearls are more expensive than cultured pearls because they are harder to find and harvest.
However, this is not an iron-clad rule, sometimes the opposite is true, depending on the pearl’s appearance.
Also, Pearls are organic creations made by mollusks—that is, sea animals that have hard shells.
Moreover, pearls form when an irritant of some type becomes trapped inside the shell of a mollusk.
Here, we will take a look at the list of the top 10 most expensive Pearls in the world in 2023.
Top 10 Most Expensive Pearls in the World
1. The beauty of Ocean Pearl – $139 million
2. La Peregrina Pearl – $11.8 million
3. The Baroda Pearl Necklace – $7.1 million
4. Cowdray Pearls – $5.3 million
5. The Big Pink Pearl – $4.7 million
6. Duchess of Windsor Single Strand Necklace – $4.8 million
7. The Pearl of Lao Tzu – $3.5 million
8. Natural Five Strand Pearls – $1.7 million
9. The Barbara Hutton/Marie Antoinette Pearl Necklace – $1.6 million
10. Natural Three Strands Pearls Necklace – $1.4 million
The beauty of Ocean Pearl – $139 million
- Country – China
So this is the most expensive pearl in the world, “Beauty of the Ocean”, But what is the backstory to the iconic and enticing pearl?
It is the year it was unearthed and presented to everyone.
This jewel took three years to grind into this unusual design. The green pearl, which is made of fluorite, can light up in the dark.
Also, It is the world’s largest pearl, weighing six tons and standing five feet tall.
The world was fortunate to discover such a treasure in Mongolia, China.
However, Such a wealthy location, brimming with priceless gems and pearls! The price of such a glamorous gem is $139 million.
2. La Peregrina Pearl – $11.8 million
- Country – Spain
- Owner – Elizabeth Taylor
The La Peregrina Pearl is among the most expensive pearls globally, having a heritage of more than half a millennium.
Moreover, The pearl was discovered in the Gulf of Panama off the coast of Santa Margarita, a Spanish outpost, in the 16th century.
However, Before their wedding, Phillip II of Spain gave the jewel to Mary I of England.
Christie’s held a posthumous auction of Elizabeth Taylor’s assets in 2011, and the Peregrina Pearl necklace sold for more than $11 million.
3. The Baroda Pearl Necklace – $7.1 million
- Country – India
- Owner – Maharajah Khande Rao Gaekwad
The Baroda Pearls have been initially a magnificent Seven-Strand Pearl Necklace made up of spectacularly aligned natural pearls varying in size from 10.0-16.0mm.
The majestic necklace was acquired by the Indian Maharajas of Baroda and developed a reputation over the generations as one of the most expensive pearls in the world due to its relative scarcity and fabulous elegance.
It was auctioned at $7.1 million, with complementary Cartier natural pearl earrings encircled by dazzling diamonds, pearl and diamond headpiece, and a ring set at Christie’s Auction House in 2007.
4. Cowdray Pearls – $5.3 million
- Country – England
- Owner – Viscountess Cowdray
The Cowdray Pearl Necklace is well-known as one of the most expensive pearls globally, but it is equally steeped in history and scarcity.
Greyish pearls are scarce, with only one in 100,000 being found.
This necklace, made up of 38 graduated natural dark grey pearls, is good enough to justify its expensive amount of nearly $5.3 million.
5. The Big Pink Pearl – $4.7 million
- Country – Hong Kong
- Owner – K. C. Bell
What can be more flawless or extraordinary than a natural abalone pearl?
Diver Wesley Rankin unearthed the Big Pink Pearl in 1990.
The ‘big pink pearl’ was valued at approximately $4.7 million in 1991.
Rankin is currently owned by the world’s largest abalone pearl broker, who also runs “Pacific Coast Pearls” in Petaluma, California.
6. Duchess of Windsor Single Strand Necklace – $4.8 million
- Country – Russia
- Owner – Wallis Simpson
The jewelry was given to Simpson by her partner, the Duke of Windsor, who reputedly relinquished the throne to marry Simpson.
The Duke of Windsor obtained it from his mom, Queen Mary, and it is said to have been the same piece of jewelry that King George V bought from his aunt, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia, in 1929.
Calvin Klein, a fashion designer, once acquired the necklace and gave it to his partner. The jewelry was auctioned off for more than $4.8 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2007.
7. The Pearl of Lao Tzu – $3.5 million
- Country – Philippines
- Owner – Victor Barbish
This gorgeous piece is also the most significant natural pearl in the world.
It comes in the shape of an Islamic prophet’s turban that comes at a jaw-dropping estimate of just under $3.5 million!
The piece of natural wonder measures 9.45 inches in length and 24 centimeters in width, which adds another element of beauty to the overall design.
With a unique name like ‘The Pearl of Lao Tzu’, you know this jewel has got something special about it, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint when you learn its history!
8. Natural Five Strand Pearls – $1.7 million
- Country – U.S.
- Owner – Christie
Christie’s also auctioned off this five-strand natural pearl necklace in 2012.
The innermost strand contains sixty-three separate natural pearls.
The blue and gold silk cord that connects this necklace to the pearls is what makes them simply breathtaking.
The jewelry was auctioned off for almost $1.7 million at Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels in 2012, making it one of the most expensive pearls in the world.
9. The Barbara Hutton/Marie Antoinette Pearl Necklace – $1.6 million
- Country – France
- Owner – Barbara Hutton
This necklace is a scarce piece of jewel history as it was initially part of the French Crown Jewels and was worn by Marie Antoinette during her reign.
The original owner, Barbara Hutton, bought this beauty and wore it on the wedding day of her first husband.
The jewel comes with forty-four pearls of varying sizes and has a measurement of 8.7mm to 16.33mm, but it’s the pearls that make this piece so rare and expensive!
10. Natural Three Strands Pearls Necklace – $1.4 million
- Country – U.S.
- Owner – Christie
This three-strand natural pearl necklace, priced at $1.4 million, ranks tenth in our list of the top ten most expensive pearls in the world.
Christie’s, a renowned jewelry seller, has a precious necklace of timeless elegance that was put up for auction at New York Magnificent Jewels.
This strand pearl necklace fetched $1.4 million at an auction described as “a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful.”
The strand is made up of 180 pearls of variable sizes that are all-natural. Every pearl is evenly aligned and, of course, graduated.
However, The emerald cabochon specifics and the sparkling diamond clasp make this piece truly unique. This jewelry is well worth the money.
Also Read: 10 Most Expensive Engagement or Wedding Rings
Bottom Line
However, in this article above, we shared top 10 the most expensive pearls in the world in 2023.
Moreover, This article discussed the reasons why pearls are so expensive, similarly, ranked the most expensive pearls in the world, ensuring that no matter if the pearls are part of a necklace or if they are isolated, they are timeless and elegant.
So, hope you find this article worth it, feel free to share your recommendations and reviews on it, we would be pleased to get your views on it.
Next Read: Most Expensive Necklace In The World in 2023
