For thousands of years, diamonds have attracted the attention of wealthy, noble people and those in power. A large diamond has become a symbol of a certain status. These stones crowned the crowns of great rulers, adorned the neckline of the most beautiful women and simply served, and still serve, as an object of universal admiration.
Today we offer to admire Top 10 largest diamonds in the world. Many of them have a story full of secrets, tragedies, puzzles and intrigues.
10. Millennium Star
This colorless diamond weighs 203.04 carats (40.6 grams) and has a pear shape with 54 facets. The stone belongs to the world famous company De Beers. The diamond, weighing 777 carats, from which this diamond was made, was found in Congo in 1990. Jewelery processing took jewelers more than 3 years. The stone is insured for 100 million pounds.
9. Red Cross
This diamond was made from canary yellow diamond weighing 205.07 carats (41 grams). Through the upper face of the stone, an eight-pointed Maltese cross is clearly visible. In addition, a diamond can glow in the dark, giving off the light accumulated during the day. The current owner of the diamond is unknown.
8. De Beers
A pale yellow stone weighing 234.65 carats (46.9 grams) was made from diamond, discovered in 1888 in South Africa. Initially, the stone adorned the ceremonial necklace of the Indian Prince Patial. After the death of the prince, the stone disappeared, and the name of its current owner remains a mystery.
7. Anniversary (Jubilee)
This diamond has a weight of 245.35 carats (49 grams) and is cut in the shape of a “cushion”. The diamond from which the Jubilee was made was discovered in South Africa in 1895. The stone got its name in honor of the anniversary of the reign of the British Queen Victoria. The diamond changed owners many times until Paul-Louis Weiller purchased it for the Smithsonian Institution Museum, where anyone can see the stone.
6. Kohinur (Koh-i-noor)
Today, this legendary 105-carat diamond adorns the crown of British Queen Elizabeth. The history of stone dates back at least 8 centuries. Kohinur initially had a light yellow hue, but after re-cutting in 1852 it became completely transparent.
5. Century (The Centenary)
This unique diamond of 273.85 carats (54.8 grams) is owned by De Beers. The stone has an original shape resembling a heart, as well as excellent characteristics - the highest group of color (D) and purity (FI). Experts say that no diamond of similar size has such characteristics.
4. Spirit of de Grisogono (Spirit of de Grisogono)
The stone weighing 312.24 carats (62.4 grams) is the world's largest black diamond. Swiss jeweler Fawaz Gruosi gave the diamond a rose shape, using the ancient cut style popular in India. Today, the stone is crowned with a magnificent ring of white gold. Belongs to the diamond of the jewelry company "De Grisogono."
3. Incomparable
The diamond from which this diamond was born was accidentally found by a young girl near an abandoned mine in Congo. The weight of the stone is 407.5 carats (81.5 g). “Incomparable” has an original triangular shape and a golden yellow color. In 1988, the stone was acquired by the Swiss Theodor Horowitz for $ 12 million.
2. Cullinan I (Cullinan I)
This stone was made from the world's largest diamond Cullinan, discovered in 1905. Several faceted stones were made of diamond, the most expensive diamond is Cullinan I. The stone weighs 530.2 carats and has the shape of “pannels” with 74 faces. Today, the stone is stored in the Tower of London as part of the treasures of the British crown. By the way, another piece of Cullinan diamond adorns the crown of the British Empire, located under the ruby “Black Prince”.
1. Golden Anniversary (The Golden Jubilee)
The tan diamond from which they were made the largest diamond in the worldweighed 755.5 carats. After the cut, which lasted 2 years, the stone weighs 545.67 carats. The shape of the diamond is called the "cushion with the elements of a fiery rose." Today, the stone belongs to the royal family of Thailand.
