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
- 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
