12 Famous Diamonds Across The World - How many do you know?
Hey Diamond Lover!
We’re sure you must have heard about Koh-i-Noor but do you know that there are many such jaw-droppingly beautiful diamonds around the world?
We’ve listed them here for you. Get ready to be amazed!
Famous Diamond Around The Globe
The Pink Star
Formerly known as the Steinmetz Pink, the Pink Star was mined in 1999 by DeBeers in South Africa. The rough weight of the diamond was 132.5carats which was cut into 59.20carats finally. Pink Star has been rated Vivid Pink as it was the largest known diamond back then. Due to its rarity, the Beny Steinmetz Group took 20months to cut it.
The Pink Star was sold at US$ 71.2million to Chow Tai Fook Enterprise on 3rd April 2017.
The Hope Diamond
With an impressive history of ownership of over four centuries, the Hope Diamond has always been the talk of the town. It was mined at Kollur Mines in Andhra Pradesh while the first purchase history goes back to 1666. It weighs 45.52carats and sports a Fancy Dark Greyish Blue colour.
The diamond was cut from time to time to suit its owner. In 2010, it's said the diamond returned to its original setting.
The Sancy
This pale yellow diamond has an impressive history of European owners. It weighs 55.23carats but is rumoured to be over 100carats when mined before 1570. The stone has a very unusual shape of a shield and began its journey as Balle de Flandres.
As of today, the Sancy rests at the Apollo Gallery in Louvre Palace in France.
The Idol's Eye
The Idols Eye has its own share of myth, mystery, fabrication, worship, theft, mysterious disappearances and more. Even though the name suggests it has been some idol’s eye, but there has been no substantial proof of the same. When Harry Winston purchased this stone after World War II, it weighed 70.12carats.
The last known owner of the stone was Laurence Graff who sold it off to an unknown buyer in a couple of years.
Koh-i-Noor
The Kohinoor or Koh-i-Noor is one of the largest cut diamonds and weighs 105.6 carats. When it was mined from the Kollur Mines in India, it weighed 186carats. It sports an oval brilliant-cut and is colourless in nature. Babur, the founder of the historic Mughal Emperor wrote a poem on Koh-i-Noor that is believed to be the first mention of the stone ever.
Currently, it's part of the British Crown Jewels.
Cullinan
The largest diamond ever mined - Cullinan. It had an uncut weight of 3,106.75 carats and was named after Thomas Cullinan, the mine owner whose employees found it. Even though it garnered a lot of interest, it was unsold for two years. Many small diamonds were made from it, the largest one being the Great Star of Africa that weighed 530.4carats.
There are nine largest stones that were formed from the original stones that were named Cullinan I to Cullinan IX. Each of these stones is owned by famous personalities.
The Orloff
Orloff or Orlov or The Great Mughal Diamond weighs 189.62carats. It was mined in Golconda, India. It’s said that it served as the eye of a deity in a temple. A French soldier allegedly disguised himself as a Hindu to steal it from the temple. Ever since it’s had a string of owners and finally landed in Amsterdam for sale.
As of today, it is displayed as part of the Diamond Fund Collection of Moscow.s Kremlin Armoury.
The Centenary Diamond
The Centenary Diamond weighs a whopping 273.85 carats and is Grade D colourless i.e. the highest grade of colourless diamond with absolutely no flaws. It was first discovered in 1986 and was said to be almost 599carats uncut. Since cutting such a diamond was a Herculean task, thirteen different designs were proposed before it was cut.
The current owner of the diamond is unknown.
The Regent
Considered as one of the most beautiful and purest diamonds in the world, the Regent diamond weighs 140.64carats. There are numerous rumours for the Regent, one of them being discovered by a slave in the Kollur Mines in Andhra Pradesh from whom it was taken and he was killed. It went through a series of owners and finally landed in France.
It’s currently owned by the French state and is on display at the Louvre.
The Hortensia Diamond
The Hortensia Diamond weighs 20carat and sports a pale orange-pink colour. Its first sighting was in 1643 when it was purchased by King Louis XIV. It was eventually sold. The diamond has an impressive history of being lost and formed repeatedly over the years.
It’s part of the French Crown Jewels now.
Moussaieff Red Diamond
This might not be a really famous one but it’s the largest known red diamond in the world and we simply couldn’t resist! Also known as the Red Shield Diamond, this one sports a triangular brilliant cut and weighs 5.11carats. It’s been given the Fancy Red colour by the Gemological Institute of America. It was mined in the year 1989 in the state of Minas Gerais where its weight was 13.9carats.
It was purchased by Moussaieff Jewellers Ltd. in 2001/2002 and has been in their possession ever since.
Heart of Eternity
Another rare class of coloured diamonds. It measures 27.64carats and has a Fancy Vivid Blue colour as said by the Gemological Institute of America. It was sold to De Beers Group by Steinmetz Group who had cut this stone. It’s said there was an attempt to steal it on 7th November 2000 which was unsuccessful.
Although De Beers refuse to give the name of the current owner, rumours suggest that in 2012 boxer Floyd Mayweather bought the Heart of Eternity necklace for
Shantel Jackson.Which one’s your favourite? Tell us in the comments below.
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