1) Diamond Bikini (Susan Rosen And Steinmetz)

If you want to deck yourself out with the glitziest jewels, try wearing them all over your body. One of the most extravagant jewelry items available to date is actually practical, too, since it is a diamond bikini. This delicate and beautiful item is made from more than 150 carats of flawless D quality diamonds of different shapes that are set in platinum. For a shocking $30 million, this piece, which is the result of a collaboration between designer Susan Rosen and Steinmetz Diamonds, sets the record not only as the most expensive jewelry on the market but also as the most expensive bathing suit, too.

The Hope Diamond

While this list presents some of the most precious jewels available today and some of the most noteworthy jewel sales, it would not be complete without mentioning another, even more valuable, piece of jewelry that is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The Hope Diamond is a 45.52 carat deep blue diamond gemstone that has a long, and complicated, history, and over the years has been said to bring a spate of ill-fortune to its owners. Despite this fact, that doesn’t make it any less popular or famous. While the Hope Diamond is difficult to appraise today, one expert recently placed its value in the $200 million range. (You can also purchase one of the many inexpensive replicas of this stone available for under $100.)

Rent If You Can’t Afford To Own

If you love beautiful jewelry but can’t afford the high price tag, you don’t have to resort to wearing costume knock-offs. There is another option. A London jeweler named Bentley & Skinner rents some of their best pieces for a daily rate of one percent of the selling price. There is a catch, though. You have to pony up the full selling price in order to gain possession of an item, but will receive the balance back, minus the rental fee, when you return the piece in perfect condition.