Diamonds have been a fascination to diamond buyers and the common man alike for centuries for their sheer beauty and rarity. When in the presence of a rare, high-quality diamond, its color, sparkle, and shape can be mesmerizing. The settings that some of the most famous diamonds have been placed in are a few of the most beautiful man-made sights to behold. Each diamond is unique and can have value that goes beyond that which can be qualified by diamond buyers and jewelers. Today we are going to explore the history of some of the most famous and valuable diamonds that exist in known history.
The Cullinan Diamond
This white diamond is the largest diamond in the world, weighing 3,106.75 carats. It is also the largest rough cut diamond ever found. The Cullinan diamond was divided up into 105 smaller diamonds, with the greatest of these smaller diamonds being called the Great Star of Africa weighing in at 530.20 carats. The Cullinan II, the Cullinan I’s counterpart, weighing in at 317.40 carats, is known as the Lesser Star of Africa. Both of these diamonds can be admired in the British diamond crown.
Koh-i-Noor Diamond
The Koh-i-Noor, a white diamond, can also be found in a British royal’s crown, but was originally owned by a Persian shah in 1302. The Persian translation of this diamond’s name, “the mountain of light,” is tell-tale of this diamond’s incredible beauty. The Koh-i-Noor diamond was sent to Queen Victoria and subsequently set in Queen Elizabeth’s crown in 1849: cut down from its original size of 186 carats to 108.93 carats, it was a stunning addition to her crown.
Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond
In 2008, the Wittelsbach-Graff diamond with a rich history was bought by Sir. Laurence Graff, who had the diamond polished down from 35.56 to 31.06 carats. This diamond could be considered the most famous of all. Originally found in India, this diamond is famous not only for its size, but also for its royal origins. This diamond, which may have come from the same stone as the Hope diamond, was given to Infanta Margarita Teresa by her father King Philip IV in Spain as a dowery. After her death, the diamond passed from Spain to Bavaria through royal marriage and soon disappeared. As it resurfaced and disappeared through history, controversy surrounded it: to cut it or not cut it? Eventually, it was cut down, losing 4.52 carats, but it became a vivid blue color, which is revered by some as the more coveted color in comparison to its original gray-blue color.
Other Famous Diamonds
The Incomparable Diamond
This diamond was found in the 1980s, is a stunning 407.49 carats, and an incredibly rare brown-yellow color.
The Moussaieff Red Diamond
This diamond, like the Incomparable Diamond, is well-known due to its rare color. This red diamond was found in Brazil in 1990.
Conclusion
These are just some of the most famous and stunning diamonds to exist. Stay tuned for part 2 of our blog series to learn more!
Ready to Sell Your Diamonds?
Do you have your own set of diamonds that you are ready to get rid of? Our diamond buyers at H. Moradi Jewelers would love to take them off your hands. We offer cash for loose or set diamonds and can give you an accurate appraisal at one of our La Jolla locations. We always offer honest and accurate appraisals to all of our clients and welcome all settings, no questions asked. To learn more about us, visit our website and contact us with your questions, and always feel free to stop by one of our stores in La Jolla.