Tuesday, March 3, 2015

World’s Top 10 Most Famous Diamonds

Diamonds are beautiful, lustrous gifts of nature that have been further refined and molded by man to create something truly deserving of the royalty that it harbors. With their play of light, diamonds can win anybody over. Here is a list of several diamonds which gained fame due to playing an important role in history or for their undeniable beauty.
  • Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond

This diamond originated in India was purchased by King Philip IV of Spain. Since then it has come in the possession of many families across Europe. It carries with it a rich historical significance that contributes to its bafflingly large price. It held the record in 2010 for the highest price ever paid for a diamond at an auction. Its name is derived from the jeweler who bought it at the said auction.
  • Regent Diamond

Another diamond that originated in India, it is believed to be found by a slave who hid it inside a large wound in his leg. It then passed into the hands of an English captain who sold it to an Indian merchant. After going through several people, it was purchased by the French Regent, Philippe II, Duke of Orleans in 1717 which is how it acquired its name. It is housed at The Lourve today.
  • Oppenheimer Diamond

At 253.7 carats, this diamond is one of the largest uncut diamonds in the world. It is yellow in colour and was discovered in South Africa in 1964. It was presented to the Smithsonian Institution to honor Ernest Oppennheimer.
  •  Millennium Star

Originated in Zaire, this diamond is 203.04 carats, pear shaped, and is the world’s second largest known colourless and flawless diamond. It is currently owned by De Beers.
  •  Koh-i-Noor

Yet another diamond originated in India, Koh-i-Noor once adorned an idol in a religious temple from where it was looted and came into the hands of Mughal Emperors. Shah Jahan, the emperor who built Taj Mahal, had the stone embedded into his Peacock Throne. It then passed into the hands of the Persian ruler Nadir Shah who gave it its name. It ultimately came into British hands and it is now a part of British Crown Jewels.
  • Great Mogul Diamond

Dicovered in India in around 1650, this diamond was gifted by Emir Jemla to Shah Jahan and Jemla considered it unparalleled in size and beauty. This diamond too reached the hands of Nadir Shah and it disappeared when he was assassinated.
  • Cullinan I

Ogininated in South Africa and derived from The Cullinan Diamond which was the largest gem quality diamond ever found (3106 carats). 
  • Spirit of de Grisogono Diamond

The world’s largest cut black diamond, this diamond originated in the Central African Republic and was cut by Swiss jewel De Grisogono from whom it derived its name. It now adorns a ring made of 702 white diamonds.
  • Daria-i-Noor

This diamond is pale-pink, which is a very rare diamond colour. At 182 carats, it is one of the largest cut diamonds. It is currently owned by Central Bank of Iran in Tehran.
  • The Sancy Diamond

This is a shield-shaped stone of 55.23 carats of Indian origin and it believed to be owned by the Mughals before being circulated through many European rulers. It is currently housed in The Lourve.