Top 20 most expensive things in the world: what are they?
What is the priciest item in the world? Most people desire to own the best things in the world, no matter the cost. As a result, some people go to any length to get them. Find out what is the most expensive thing in the world money can buy.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Summary table of the most expensive things in the world
- The most expensive thing in the world
- 25. Mariah Carey's engagement ring - $10 million
- 24. Perfect pink diamond - $23.2 million
- 23. Chopard 201-carat gemstone watch - $25 million
- 22. Giant clock by Jeff Bezos - $42 million
- 21. CarInsurance.com domain name - $49.7 million
- 20. L'Incomparable diamond necklace - $55 million
- 19. Graff Diamonds hallucination watch - $55 million
- 18. 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO - $70 million
- 17. The Garçon à la pipe painting - $104 million
- 16. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I painting - $135 million
- 15. Pointing Man Sculpture - $141.3 million
- 14. Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Gullwing Uhlenhaut - $143 million
- 13. Jeff Bezos’ Beverly Hills House - $165 million
- 12. The Card Players painting - $250 million
- 11. Interchange (de Kooning) - $300 million
- 10. Private Boeing 787 Dreamliner - $300 million
- 9. The Cullinan - $400 million
- 8. Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi painting - $450.3 million
- 7. Villa Leopolda - $506 million
- 6. Crown Jewel - $591 million
- What is the most expensive thing in the world right now?
- What are the top 3 most expensive things in the world?
- What is the most expensive item ever sold?
- What is the most expensive thing made by humans?
- Who is the owner of the most expensive thing in the world?
The most expensive things in the world are rare and exclusive. Most importantly, only the uber-rich can afford to own most of these things. The rich unapologetically spend their money to buy these expensive things, even if it may seem absurd to others.
Summary table of the most expensive things in the world
| Rank | Item | Price |
| 1 | The International Space Station | $150 billion |
| 2 | Yacht History Supreme | $4.8 billion |
| 3 | Hubble Space Telescope | $2.1 billion |
| 4 | Antilia | $2 billion |
| 5 | Air Force One | $660 million |
| 6 | Crown Jewel | $591 million |
| 7 | Villa Leopolda | $506 million |
| 8 | Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi painting | $450.3 million |
| 9 | The Cullinan | $400 million |
| 10 | Private Boeing 787 Dreamliner | $300 million |
| 11 | Interchange (de Kooning) | $300 million |
| 12 | The Card Players painting | $250 million |
| 13 | Jeff Bezos’ Beverly Hills House | $165 million |
| 14 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Gullwing Uhlenhaut | $143 million |
| 15 | Pointing Man Sculpture | $141.3 million |
| 16 | Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I painting | $135 million |
| 17 | The Garçon à la pipe painting | $104 million |
| 18 | 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO | $70 million |
| 19 | Graff Diamonds hallucination watch | $55 million |
| 20 | L'Incomparable diamond necklace | $55 million |
| 21 | CarInsurance.com domain name | $49.7 million |
| 22 | Giant clock by Jeff Bezos | $42 million |
| 23 | Chopard 201-carat gemstone watch | $25 million |
| 24 | Perfect pink diamond | $23.2 million |
| 25 | Mariah Carey's engagement ring | $10 million |
The most expensive thing in the world
The world is an expensive place to be, especially for those who love fine things in life. If you are wondering what is the most expensive thing in the world, here are the top 20 priciest items.
25. Mariah Carey's engagement ring - $10 million
Source: Getty Images
Mariah Carey's engagement ring is one of the most extravagant and expensive celebrity engagement rings ever. In 2016, she received the 35-carat diamond ring from Australian billionaire James Packer.
The stunning emerald-cut diamond was estimated to be worth around $10 million. It featured a platinum band and was designed by Wilfredo Rosado, a close friend of Mariah Carey.
Even after their engagement ended, the ring remained a symbol of luxurious celebrity jewelry. Mariah reportedly sold the ring in 2018 for approximately $2.1 million, significantly less than its original estimated value, but still a substantial amount for a piece of jewelry.
24. Perfect pink diamond - $23.2 million
Source: Getty Images
The perfect pink diamond is one of the most expensive smallest thing in the world. It is a stunning gemstone that fetched an impressive $23.2 million at a Christie's auction in Hong Kong in 2010.
This rare diamond weighs 14.23 carats and is classified as a fancy intense pink, which is one of the rarest and most desirable color grades for pink diamonds. Its color and quality made it a standout piece, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a pink diamond at that time.
23. Chopard 201-carat gemstone watch - $25 million
Source: Facebook
The Chopard 201-carat gemstone watch is one of the most luxurious and expensive timepieces in the world, valued at an astounding $25 million. Created by the Swiss luxury jeweler Chopard, this watch is truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship and opulence.
The watch is adorned with a total of 874 diamonds, including three prominent heart-shaped diamonds that are the focal point of the piece: a 15-carat pink diamond, a 12-carat blue diamond, and an 11-carat white diamond.
These heart-shaped gems are surrounded by clusters of smaller diamonds, creating a dazzling, flower-like arrangement. The rest of the watch is encrusted with yellow and white diamonds, adding to its extraordinary sparkle.
22. Giant clock by Jeff Bezos - $42 million
Source: Twitter
The Giant Clock is a unique and extravagant project backed by Jeff Bezos. Known as the 10,000-Year Clock, it is being built inside a mountain in West Texas, on land owned by Bezos.
The clock is designed to run for 10,000 years without human intervention, symbolizing long-term thinking and sustainability. This ambitious project, estimated at $42 million, is being constructed by the Long Now Foundation, an organization focused on fostering long-term thinking.
The clock will be powered by thermal cycles from the Earth and synchronized at noon with solar energy. It will feature a series of chimes that generate a different sequence of sounds each day for the next 10,000 years.
21. CarInsurance.com domain name - $49.7 million
Source: Getty Images
The domain name CarInsurance.com is one of the most expensive domain sales in history. In 2010, it was purchased for a staggering $49.7 million by QuinStreet, an online marketing company specializing in vertical markets such as financial services.
The sale was significant not just because of the price, but also because it highlighted the high value associated with premium, industry-specific domain names.
For QuinStreet, the investment in CarInsurance.com aimed to enhance its presence in the online insurance space, leveraging the highly descriptive and memorable domain to attract more traffic and generate business leads.
20. L'Incomparable diamond necklace - $55 million
Source: Getty Images
The L'Incomparable diamond necklace with a market value of $55 million, is considered the costliest necklace that goes beyond human expectations. It is made of flawless 637-carat white diamond suspended from a rose gold setting studded with 90 white diamonds.
A girl in Congo discovered the spectacular diamond that serves as the necklace's centrepiece about three decades ago.
19. Graff Diamonds hallucination watch - $55 million
Source: Getty Images
Laurence Graff is known for producing expensive items from precious gemstones, and one of them is the Graff Diamonds hallucination watch. Currently valued at $55 million, the watch may not appear tentative.
A close look will reveal a myriad of multicoloured diamonds. For instance, the watch has 110-carat diamonds in various shapes and colours.
18. 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO - $70 million
Source: Getty Images
The Ferrari 250 GTO, which holds the title of one of the priciest vehicles ever sold, was manufactured in 1963 and sold privately for $70 million in June 2018.
The automobile was created by Giotto Bizzarrini and Sergio Scaglietti and was planned to participate in Group 3 GT racing. It was also required to beat Aston Martin’s DP214, Shelby’s Cobra, and Jaguar’s E-Type.
17. The Garçon à la pipe painting - $104 million
Source: Getty Images
The Garçon à la pipe painting is among the most expensive thing in the world. It was sold at Sotheby's auction on 5 May 2004 for $104 million. Pablo Picasso, the master artist, created this magnificent Garçon à la pipe painting in 1905. Picasso painted this piece when he was only 24 years old during his Rose Period in the Montmartre area of Paris.
Garçon à la Pipe is translated as "Boy with a Pipe" in English. The painting portrays a teenage boy seated in blue overalls wearing a garland of roses on his head. He holds a pipe in his left hand the wrong way around. It is currently the fifth highest-selling painting by Picasso.
16. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I painting - $135 million
Source: Getty Images
Gustav Klimt completed the Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I painting between 1903 and 1907. Also known as The Lady in Gold or The Woman in Gold, the portrait was commissioned by Adele Bloch-Bauer and her husband Ferdinand Bauer.
It was then stolen by the Nazis in 1941 and displayed at the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in Vienna. Although the portrait has a long intriguing story, it was last sold to art collector Ronald Lauder in 2006 for $135 million. Since then, it has been displayed publicly in the Neue Galerie in New York.
15. Pointing Man Sculpture - $141.3 million
Source: Getty Images
L’Homme au doigt, also known as Walking Man I, is a bronze sculpture crafted by Alberto Giacometti in 1947. The craftsman made six crafts of this artwork and one artist’s proof.
This resulted in the sculpture appearing in different locations, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, London’s Tate Gallery, and Des Moines Art Center. In 2015, billionaire Steven Cohen bought the 70-inch-tall sculpture at $141.3 million, making it the most expensive sculpture ever sold at auction.
14. Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Gullwing Uhlenhaut - $143 million
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Gullwing Uhlenhaut is one of the most expensive things in the world. It was sold at auction in May 2022. Renowned engineer Rudi Uhlenhaut designed this extra-special Gullwing.
There are only two prototype coupe versions of Mercedes' famed Silver Arrow 300 SLR race cars. The Benz is known for its curved doors that open vertically to resemble a seagull's wings. This low-slung silver coupe features a powerful straight-eight engine.
13. Jeff Bezos’ Beverly Hills House - $165 million
Source: UGC
Jeff Bezos is one man who loves expensive things. And being the owner of Amazon, his taste in items is probably high, as seen in his multi million Beverly Hills house.
Jeff acquired the house from the music mogul David Geffen at a whooping cost of $165 million, which made history as the most expensive home sale in California.
The house, which features a 13,600-square-foot mansion, two guest houses, a tennis court, a pool, and other state-of-art amenities, was built by Warner Bros. cofounder and president Jack L. Warner in 1937.
12. The Card Players painting - $250 million
The painting is one of the most expensive pieces of artwork, the work of French artist Paul Cezzane. It is part of a series considered a cornerstone of Cézanne's art during the early-to-mid 1890s.
The piece of art is an angular, moody representation of two Aix-en-Provence peasants in a card game. The Card Players painting is owned by the Al Thani family, Qatar's royal family. The family bought the picture in a single stroke at an auction for $250 million in 2011.
11. Interchange (de Kooning) - $300 million
The Interchange, also known as Interchanged, is an oil painting on canvas by Dutch-American expressionist Willem de Kooning. The Interchanged measures 200.7 by 175.3 centimetres, and the piece was finished in 1955. The painting features a fleshy pink mass at its centre, representing a seated woman.
It was sold by the David Geffen Foundation to Kenneth C. Griffin for $300 million in September 2015. The Interchange is currently at the Art Institute of Chicago on loan. It comes in second on the list of most expensive paintings, behind Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi.
10. Private Boeing 787 Dreamliner - $300 million
Source: UGC
The private Boeing has been a center of attraction in the Dubai Airshow for quite some time now. The first private Boeing 787 crossed all the expectations of a luxurious private airline by coming with a shower for two, an entertainment lounge, a dining area, a bedroom, and a 42-inch television.
Valued at $300 million, it is only affordable to those who want privacy but still cannot compromise the essence of a sizable airline.
9. The Cullinan - $400 million
Source: Getty Images
The Cullinan is the largest rough diamond of gem quality ever found. Frederick Wells discovered the gem that weighs an incredible 3,106.75 carats in South Africa in 1905.
It is famously known as the Star of Africa and was given as a gift to King Edward VII by Louis Botha. The rough diamond was cut into nine main stones by Joseph Asscher & Co in 1908.
The main stones made Imperial State Crown, Sovereign Scepter with Cross, pendant brooch, and other jewellery. The were all owned by Queen Elizabeth II.
8. Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi painting - $450.3 million
Source: Getty Images
Paintings are usually very expensive. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the world's most expensive items. It is a painting of Jesus, and the name translates to "Saviour of the World".
It was bought in 2017 by Saudi Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud.To this date, it is still the costliest painting in the whole world.
7. Villa Leopolda - $506 million
Source: Getty Images
The Villa Leopolda is the second most expensive home in the world. It was designed and built from 1929 to 1931 by an American architect, Ogden Codman Jr. The Lebanese- born Brazilian banker Edmond Safra and his wife, Lily, are the owners of the posh villa.
The villa seats on 7.3 hectares (18 acres) of grounds and was once the home of King Leopold II of Belgium. It has three swimming pools and several spacious bathrooms.
The villa was the location of Lermontov's villa in the 1948 film The Red Shoes. In addition, it was the set of the movie To Catch a Thief, shot in 1955.
6. Crown Jewel - $591 million
Source: Getty Images
Koh-i-noor or the Crown Jewel was mined in India and gifted to the British Queen Elizabeth during their colonial phase. The jewel, which consists of a 109-carat diamond and is currently valued at about $591 million.
5. Air Force One - $660 million
Air Force One is the most expensive private jet in the world. It is a triple-decker with 4000 square feet of space and is owned by the United States Air Force.
This private jet can be fuelled mid-air, making it self-sufficient at airports worldwide. It can carry 26 crew members and 100 passengers and flies at a speed of about 650 miles per hour.
It is equipped with advanced secure communications apparatus, allowing the aircraft to function as a mobile command centre. It has a conference/dining room quarters for the president, offices, two galleys and an area that can be converted to a hospital.
4. Antilia - $2 billion
Source: Getty Images
This is the most expensive private home in the world. The Antilia is on a private island off the coast of Mumbai, India. It is owned by the richest man in India, Mukesh Ambani. He is also the owner of Antilia real estate company which has offices in Mumbai.
This humongous home is 27 stories high of 173 metres tall, over 37,000 square metres. It has a ballroom, a 50-seat movie theatre and nine high-speed elevators. Other features include three helipads, air traffic control, and 168 vehicles parking space.
It also boasts a pool, gym, spa, temple, and snow room that spits snowflakes out from the walls. The home was constructed to withstand an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0.
3. Hubble Space Telescope - $2.1 billion
Source: Getty Images
The Hubble Space Telescope holds the Guinness Book of world records for being the most expensive telescope, with a raking value of $2.1 billion.
It was first debuted in 1990 and has been used in various renowned scientific discoveries such as confirming that the universe is still expanding and aiding in understanding the universe's age. The telescope uses 25-foot solar panels to harvest solar energy and enhances astronomers’ vision to see things in outer space.
2. Yacht History Supreme - $4.8 billion
The History Supreme yacht is the most expensive thing ever. It was built by a renowned luxury designer from the UK called Stuart Hughes. It took him three years to complete the yacht.
This luxurious superyacht is believed to be owned by Malaysian businessman Robert Kuok. He is the founder and owner of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
The History Supreme is 30 meters long, has a crew of 70 and can travel at a speed of 22 knots. 100,000 kg of solid gold and platinum was used to construct this superyacht, raising its price tag. Areas of the yacht adorned in gold include the deck, railings, dining area, and anchor.
A centrepiece in the main bedroom is made of a meteorite rock and a statue of genuine T-Rex bones. In addition, it has other extravagances like wine glasses made of an 18-carat diamond. the History Supreme yacht price is around $4.8 billion.
1. The International Space Station- $150 billion
The most expensive item in the world is space-related and valued at $150 billion. The International Space Station took 12 years to conceptualize and design, with various space experts supervising its construction.
What is the most expensive thing in the world right now?
The Hubble Space Telescope is the number one most expensive thing in the world, with its design and construction costs totalling $150 billion.
What are the top 3 most expensive things in the world?
The following are the top three expensive things in the world.
- The International Space Station price - $150 billion
- Yacht History Supreme - $4.8 billion
- Hubble Space Telescope - $2.1 billion
What is the most expensive item ever sold?
Salvator Mundi painting by Leonardo da Vinci is the most expensive painting ever sold for $450 million. The painting was sold to Saudi Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud in 2017.
What is the most expensive thing made by humans?
The The International Space Station is the most expensive thing ever made by humans. It took 12 years to build and the construction was supervised by various high-tech engineers.
Who is the owner of the most expensive thing in the world?
The owner of the most expensive thing in the world is Robert Kuok. He is a Malaysian billionaire and owns the History Supreme yacht, valued at approximately $4.8 billion. This yacht is renowned for its extravagant features, including gold-plated fixtures, a gold-plated toilet, and a room made entirely of meteorite material.
There are numerous things considered as the most expensive things in the world. The rich are able to purchase these exclusive things because they can afford them. These pricy items are waiting for the highest bidder, from the most expensive painting to the most expensive home.
Legit.ng published an article on who owns the most expensive car in the world. For the wealthiest individuals, luxury cars offer a well-balanced mix of poshness and performance.
These state-of-the-art vehicles, manufactured in limited quantities, can cost as much as $142 million a piece, restricting their ownership only to the top echelon of the world's wealthy. Who owns the most expensive car in the world? Read on to find out.
Source: Legit.ng
Jackline Wangare (Lifestyle writer) Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Legit.ng, where she has worked since mid-2021. She tackles diverse topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University. She has more than five years in writing. Jackline graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2019) and a Diploma in Marketing (2015) from Kenyatta University. In 2023, Jackline finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and Google News Initiative course in 2024. Email: simwajackie2022@gmail.com.
Naomi Karina (Lifestyle writer) Naomi Karina has been a digital content writer for more than two years. She joined the Legit team in August 2022. She graduated Bachelor of Commerce from KCA University in 2012. She also holds a Higher Diploma in Human Resources from the IHRM and a Diploma in Marketing from Kenyatta University. She is a content creator who enjoys writing about various topics such as biographies, entertainment and business. In 2023, Naomi finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She expanded her skills in 2024 by undertaking the Google News Initiative course.
