Famous and hostoric diamonds

Although every diamond is precious to its owner, often coming as it does with a unique story, some diamonds are more precious than others – and with dashing tales to match. Below are just a (sparkling) handful of the world's most famous diamonds.

FAMOUS SOUTH AFRICAN DIAMONDS

South Africa has produced a number of the world’s most celebrated diamonds. Legendary in both size and radiance, these diamonds put South African diamond mining on the map. Now you too can own a SA CUT DIAMOND [link], albeit slightly more modest than some of these renowned giants!

The Cullinan I Diamond (530.20 carats)

Discovered in the Premier Mine near Pretoria in 1905, this whopper weighed in at 3106 carats, uncut. In 1907 it was given to Britain’s King Edward VII and was then cut into nine major stones, the Cullinan being the largest. Today the Cullinan diamond is set in the British Imperial Sceptre and is on display in the British Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. It remains the world's largest cut diamond.

The Jubilee Diamond (245 carats)

This flawless, clear white diamond weighed almost 651 carats in its rough, uncut state. It was found in 1895 at the Jaegersfontein mine near Bloemfontein and in 1897, the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, was faceted into a cushion brilliant of about 245 carats. Today it can be seen at the De Beers Diamond Pavilion in Johannesburg.

The Centenary Diamond (273.85 carats)

In 1986, the Premier Mine near Pretoria once again produced a massive diamond, this one 599 carats and perfect in colour. It is named in honour of De Beers centennial celebrations. The Centenary is the largest modern-cut diamond in the world, with an unprecedented number of facets: 164 on the stone and 83 on the girdle. Two flawless pear shapes were also cut.

The De Beers Diamond (228.5 carats)

In 1888, this enormous 430 carat light yellow octahedron was found in De Beers’ Kimberley mine. During cutting approximately 200 carats were removed, leaving it at 228.5 carats and earning its place as the seventh largest cut diamond in the world.

The Eureka Diamond (24 carats)

Perhaps the most important diamond in the history of South African mining, the Eureka was discovered in 1866 by children digging in the garden. It was soon sent off to England and Queen Victoria, where it was cut and changed hands a number of times. In 1967, 100 years after its discovery, De Beers purchased the Eureka, gifting it to the people of South Africa. It is on permanent loan at the Mine Museum, Kimberley – a fitting venue to display the gemstone that established South Africa as one of the world's richest resources of diamonds.

The Golden Jubilee Diamond (545.65 carats)

This beautiful golden yellow diamond with a bright reddish hue at the centre was discovered in the Premier Mine near Pretoria in 1986. Weighing in at 755.50 carats uncut, the Golden Jubilee was cut into a 545.65 carat Fire-Rose cushion shape. In 2000 it was gifted by the Thai people to King Bhumibol. The Golden Jubilee is now on display in the Royal Museum at Pimammek Golden Temple Throne Hall in Bangkok.

The Millennium Star Diamond (203.04 carats)

Uncut, the Millennium Star weighed 777 carats. Now it is a flawless pear-shaped stone with 54 facets. It’s also the sixth largest diamond of gem quality ever discovered.
The Millennium Star is the centerpiece of the De Beers Millennium Jewels – made up of eleven rare blue diamonds. To mark the millennium, the Jewels were displayed in the Millennium Dome at Greenwich in London, and later exhibited in Tokyo and Dubai.

OTHER FAMOUS STONES

The Regent Diamond (140.50 carats)

This beautiful stone was mined in India and later cut in England. In 1717, he sold it to the Duke of Orleans, the Regent of France. In 1792 the diamond was stolen from the French Court, but turned up a few years later in Paris. It eventually found its way into the hands of the Emperor of Austria who returned it to the French Crown Jewels.

The Hope Diamond (44.50 carats)

Possibly the world's most famous fancy blue diamond, the Hope has the added allure of being said to be cursed. Its even been held responsible for the deaths of Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV! The diamond reappeared in London around 1830, when it was purchased by Henry Philip Hope. It changed hands a number of times until diamond merchant Harry Winston bought it in 1958 and presented it to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.

The Agra Diamond (28.15 carats)

This beautiful fancy light pink diamond is named after the site of the Taj Mahal, one of the most romantic buildings in the world. The Agra has an equally romantic, if dramatic, past involving wars, smuggling and lengthy legal battles. Moving from India to England via a number of different owners, the Agra was eventually auctioned at Christie's in 1990. It has since been recut to its present 28.15 carats.