Ever wondered what the biggest diamond is in the world? Celebrities rock some big diamonds and precious stones as engagement rings. But in the bigger scale of things, they may just be small stones next to the record holders.
Some of the world’s most famous diamonds can be double or even triple the weight and worth of a single celebrity’s stone. From the largest to the oldest, here are some of the diamonds that may perhaps be more than their weight in carat, because their reputation precedes them.
The Most Famous Diamonds Around the World
There are lots of precious diamonds that have left their mark in history. However, there are but a few that really stand out among these pieces. Read on to learn more about them.
The Cullinan is the Largest Diamond
The Cullinan diamond deserves the name “Star of Africa” for a reason. At 1.3 pounds and 3,106-carat weight, it currently holds the record for being the biggest diamond. Compared to other diamonds, it was found more recently, in 1905 in the Premier Mine in South Africa. Its discoverer Thomas Evan Powell turned the diamond over to Frederick Wells.
Upon studying the diamond, its discoverers speculated that the diamond might be part of a bigger diamond. Because of the natural process, the smooth edge of the Cullinan may be the connector part to the bigger whole. Apart from this, the Cullinan diamond also has a black spot at the very center.
Right after its discovery, Cullinan sold it to the Transvaal provincial government, after which it found its way to King Edward VII. Now, the Cullinan no longer holds the record as the largest diamond. It has been cut into nine large stones and almost 100 small ones. The original still called the aforementioned name “Star of Africa I” or “Cullinan I,” amounts to 530 carats and remains the largest cut colorless diamond.
The Sewelo
Considered to be the second-largest diamond in the world, the Sewelo currently resides under the ownership of Louis Vuitton. In early 2020, the French fashion household name bought the 1,758-carat diamond for an undisclosed amount of money.
Yet before you imagine a brilliant diamond that can grace the brand, the Sewelo is actually the largest uncut diamond. Despite having been discovered only in 2019, many jewelry experts are keeping an eye on the diamond. Plans for the Sewelo’s cut include a cushion-cut at 904 carats, an oval cut at 891 carats, and a series of stones bearing between 100 to 300 carats each. This may be the first step of LV’s image addition, following its acquisition of Tiffany & Co.
The Blessed Koh-i-Noor
When a diamond has the moniker “Mountain of Light,” it hints at the magnificence of such a piece. The Koh-i-Noor does not disappoint. In fact, it easily comes into the top 10 biggest diamond in the world.
When comparing the Cullinan diamond vs Koh-i-Noor, it does lose out on at least 100 carats, partly due to recutting. But it does not affect its rich history. The Mountain of Light goes back to 1304 when it was first mined. Come the 16th century; it came to the hands of the Rajahs of Malwa. Afterward, it became the possession of Mogul Emperors, who put it on the Peacock Throne.
The Koh-i-Noor came to India, where it was recut to 108.93 carats so that the Queen can wear it as a brooch. In 1937, it became part of the coronation jewels for Queen Elizabeth. To date, the Crown Jewels, including the Koh-i-Noor, are now in the Tower of London.
The Mysterious Idol’s Eye
Mysterious diamonds are often accompanied by equally intriguing stories. Given its name, the pear-shaped stone may seem to have a religious context, but it’s far from this notion. If anything,
The Idol’s Eye has been liked to a lot of unconfirmed stories. It’s related to Prince Rehab from Persia, who supposedly went to ruin because of monetary issues. Another puts the Idol’s Eye in Turkey, where it supposedly became the ransom for Princess Rasheetah.
The Idol’s Eye’s true location was truly pinpointed in 1865, where it was auctioned in London and sold to a mysterious buyer going by the name of “B.B.” Almost 50 years after, Abdul Hamid II was named the owner of the jewel. Years later, it also found its way to Harry Winston’s many diamond purchases, this time as a 70.21-carat diamond on a necklace pendant.
Perhaps one of the biggest rumor was that it even found its way to the hands of one of the brutal dictators in Asia. Ferdinand Marcos supposedly became one of its owners, albeit part of a collection of his wife, Imelda. The Idol’s Eye supposedly disappeared from his estate three years following his death. Until now, the Idol’s Eye has still not made an appearance.
The Tiffany Yellow Diamond
When it comes to answering the question, “What is the biggest diamond in the world, and how much is it worth?” one would be surprised to learn that not all of the diamonds that rank high on the list are pure, flawless gems. The Tiffany Diamond is a shining example that colored diamonds also make waves in the jewelry industry due to their hues.
If you are the King of Diamonds like Charles Lewis Tiffany is, then you are bound to get your hands on a diamond or two. This is how the diamond earned its moniker and came under Tiffany’s ownership after being mined in South Africa. It weighs 287 carats and possesses a deep yellow color. As if the name was not enough, it also appeared on the neck of Audrey Hepburn in the famous movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, where its ornate setting set off the deep yellow glow perfectly.
Richard Burton’s Gift to Elizabeth Taylor
Diamonds may be the most glamorous gift a man can give a woman. When you’re Elizabeth Taylor, you can expect only the best of the best. Dubbed the Taylor-Burton diamond, this particular piece was larger than its current size at 241 carats. Its first owner, Harriet Annenberg Ames, even feared removing her glove because it would expose the massive stone.
Naturally, when Taylor heard that the diamond was for sale, she flew in with her husband. Cartier won the bidding because of Burton’s $1 million cap. Not one to be outbid and definitely one to impress his wife, Burton bought the diamond for $1.1 million, renamed it to signify their ownership, and recut to 69.42 carats.
The Shield-shaped Sancy
As far as brilliant diamonds go, the Sancy diamond does not have the clearest color. It’s actually a pale yellow diamond that is among the smaller ones on the list. However, it is considered to be one of the world’s famous diamonds because of the stories of its journey.
According to popular lore, Charles the Bold, the Duke of Burgundy, originally owned the diamond. It was passed on to his cousin after his death, before coming to the hands of its French owner and namesake, Nicolas de Harlay, seigneur de Sancy. But his lineage wasn’t the last to possess the stone. It passed to the hands of Henry III and Henry IV, who each had a specific use for the diamond. Before it got to the latter Henry, the messenger bearing the diamond was robbed. The robber apparently swallowed the diamond, but the stone was retrieved from his stomach.
Since then, the Sancy bobbed in and out of the limelight. It surfaced in 1867 at the Paris Expedition, before disappearing for almost half a decade. It surfaced in 1906 on the tiara of Lady Astor. The family owned it for over 70 years before selling it to the Louvre.
The Blue Hope Diamond
Of the many types of diamond stones that currently have immense value, the Blue Hope Diamond may be infamous because of its story, rather than its looks. Its moniker may be the most misleading name to ever grace a diamond. Most of its owners encountered some kind of bad luck while they owned the diamond. This made it one of the world’s most famous diamonds, albeit due to its dark and mysterious past.
For starters, the son of its founder Henry Thomas Hope, encountered hardships. Its next owner suffered through so many misfortunes: she lost her child, her family, and her money. The Blue Hope Diamond passed through so many hands, including Pierre Cartier, Evalyn Walsh McLean, and Harry Winston. It is now a mainstay of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.
Yet despite all the stories, the Blue Hope Diamond itself is quite the looker. As if its rare deep blue color stone is not enough, the diamond is set surrounded by 16 alternating pear and cushion-shaped white diamonds. The chain itself is made of white diamonds. It also holds another record–if one were to ask “what are the best diamonds in the world” specifically of the rare blue hue, nothing tops the blue hope diamond.
The Centenary Diamond
While it is not considered as the largest or the most expensive diamond, the Centenary Diamond breaks into the list when asked, “What are the three most famous diamonds in the world?” It sits right beside the Golden Jubilee and the Great Star of Africa–and for a good reason!
Its biggest boast factor is its flawless coloring, which received a D grade from the Gemological Institute of America. The gem comes from the Premier Mines of South Africa. It only got its name in 1988, when it was presented in its rough state at the Centennial Celebration of De Beers Consolidated Mines.
If there was one memorable component of the Centenary Diamond, it would be its insurance value of $100 million back in 1991. This hefty price came even in the absence of public appraisal–quite the feat for a single diamond!
The Hortensia
A lot of people may mistake the 20-carat Hortensia as a rose quartz upon first glance. Its pink-orange hue shines brilliantly, thanks to its cut. Its unique five-sided cut and flattened appearance make it look like an emblem stone.
The Hortensia has a colorful history, starting with King Louie XIV, who added this dainty diamond to the Crown Jewels of France. It was stolen in 1792 with Marie Antoinette’s collection, before being found in a Parisian attic. Then Napoleon unwittingly owned this stone when it was mounted on his epaulet braid. After this, it found its way to the comb of Empress Eugenie in 1856.
The Pink Star
There’s another star that shares the famous pink sparkle as the Hortensia. Yet the aptly named Pink Star has another title: one of the most expensive diamonds. At only 59.60 carats, it fetched over $71 million in a bid in Hong Kong.
It’s also one of the more recent digs, having been mined in De Beers in 1999. Its light pink color is quite rare, enough to break the banks and records in terms of auctioned jewelry in Asia.
The Golden Jubilee
Brown diamonds may not have a premium rep like clear, flawless ones. But for all its brownish-gold appearance, the Golden Jubilee stands to have more carat than the Cullinan I. It weighs 545.67 carats and boasts a fire rose cushion cut that amplified its brilliance.
The Golden Jubilee hails from the Premier Mine, home to some of the most precious and renowned diamonds in the world. However, unlike other famous diamonds, the Golden Jubilee’s journey from the mine to its current owner is pretty short. After being dug out in 1985, it found its way to Thailand in an exhibit in 1988. Ten years after, The De Beers company purchased it and brought the stone to be blessed by Pope John Paul II.
It only received its spectacular name during the 50th coronation anniversary of King Bhumibol of Thailand. From the rather bland name, “Unnamed Brown,” it now bears one of the catchy diamond names that better matched its hue. To date, it fetches up to $12 million and sits comfortably with the Crown Jewels in the Royal Thai Palace.
The Orlov Diamond
The Orlov has a reputation for having an odd shape that makes it look like half an egg and its premium location being on top of the Imperial Sceptre in Moscow’s Kremlin Diamond Fund. Yet one other fascinating fact about this diamond is that it weighs 787 carats.
Its beauty has tempted a lot of owners and strange events, starting with claiming the eye of a deity in a Srirangam temple. A soldier then stole it in 1747 before it reached European shores. Here, merchant after merchant passed it around. The diamond found its way to Count Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov. This became a gift for his Catherine the Great. Under Catherine’s direction, it was mounted onto the scepter in 1784.
So there you have it, the most famous diamonds in the world. These great beauties are not only known for their brilliance but their rich history as well. Albeit one may never see these stones up close and personal, it’s always good to know that they are out there still inspiring awe among those who have the opportunity to see them.
In case you have a piece that you want to put out on the market, check out our article on what jewelry sells best online.
