There are some pretty famous diamonds in existence today. Their uniqueness and value will astonish the average individual. Take a look at some of the most precious stones in existence. You won’t find these at your local jeweler.
Noor-ul-Ain Diamond Tiara
This precious stone was given to Empress Farah Diba when she married the last shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. The pink diamond is measured at 60 carats, and it is arguably one of the most famous pink diamonds in the world.
It is surrounded by hundreds of colored diamonds and centuries of royal history, making it utterly irreplaceable.
Koh-i-Noor Diamond
This white diamond weighs a whopping 108.93 carats. Legends say the name was given to the diamond by a Persian shah in 1302. In 1849 the diamond was sent to Queen Victoria where it was cut (with an original weight of approximately 186 carats). Its weight was decreased to 108.93 carats and was set in Queen Elizabeth’s crown.
Taylor-Burton Diamond
This is a pear shape diamond weighing around 69.42 carats. It was named as such after Mr. Richard Burton gave it as an engagement ring to his fiancé, Elizabeth Taylor. After the couple divorced in 1987, Elizabeth Taylor put up the diamond for auction, and the money was used to build a hospital in Africa.
Cullinan – The Biggest Diamond in the World
The Premier mine in Pretoria, South Africa, was where the largest diamond in the world was found on January 25, 1905. Frederick Wells was doing an inspection of the mine when he discovered a 3,106-carat diamond, only a mere 18 feet below ground.
Because of its sheer size, it was believed to be a piece of glass. However, Wells then ordered it to be removed to undergo testing. It was eventually confirmed to be the largest diamond that the world had ever seen.
Wells’s superior, Sir Thomas Cullinan was the owner of the Premier mine at the time. The enormous diamond weighed a whopping 1.33 pounds, and it still holds the record as the largest rough diamond ever to be found. It was named the Cullinan Diamond after Sir Cullinan.
The Hope Diamond
This dark grayish blue diamond weighs approximately 45.52 carats. The diamond was found in India way back in 1642. Initially, the diamond weighed 132.00 carats. The diamond traveled somewhat through the ages, set in the royal crown of Luis the 14th, then it was stolen during the French revolution.
The Wittelsbach Graff Diamond
Finally, the Wittelsbach Graff is probably one of the most famous diamonds in the world. It was bought in 2008 for an unbelievable 23.4 million dollars by renowned jeweler Sir Laurence Graff. The grayish-blue diamond weighs about 31.06-carat in its current form.
By looking at these historic precious stones, it is easy to see why diamonds have been popular throughout the ages. It is not only their dazzling and glittering appearance that allures consumers, but also the stories behind them.