Happy World Diamond Day! In honour of this day, launched by the Natural Diamond Council, we thought we would share some of the most significant natural diamonds in history – together with their stories!
The Koh-i-Noor diamond
The largest natural cut diamond in the world is the Koh-i-Noor, weighing 105.6 carats. This oval diamond is set into the British Crown Jewels and kept in the Tower of London. The centrepiece of the Imperial State Crown since 1937, the Koh-i-Noor is thought to have originated in the Golconda mines of India, a prized origin for its historic ‘water-like’ diamonds. The Koh-i-Noor has been owned by Mughal Emperors, Shahs of Iran, Emirs of Afghanistan and Sikh Maharajahs. In 1849, the diamond was obtained by the East India Company as part of the Treaty of Lahore, and surrendered to Queen Victoria.
The Cullinan I diamond
The Cullinan I, or the Star of Africa diamond was the largest stone cut from the Cullinan diamond, the largest gem quality rough diamond found. Discovered in 1905 at the Cullinan Mines in South Africa, the Cullinan weighed 3,106.75 carats. This incredible rough crystal was gifted to the British Monarchy in 1907 and cut into 105 stones, the largest of which was the Cullinan I. The Cullinan I, or Star of Africa diamond is a flawless, colourless natural diamond and weighs 530.2 carats. Cut by Joseph Asscher, the Cullinan I was set into the Sovereign’s Sceptre in 1910.
The Dresden Green Diamond
The Dresden Green Diamond is the largest and finest natural green diamond. Weighing 40.70 carats, this pear shape stone is not only of exceptional colour (medium slightly greyish green) but also a Type IIa diamond – meaning that it has no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. Purchased in 1742 by King August III of Poland, this diamond is believed to have originated from India. Thankfully missed by thieves in the 2019 Dresden Vault €113 million heist, the diamond and is currently part of the New Green Vault collection at Dresden Castle, Germany.
The Hope Diamond
The Hope Diamond is a 45.52 carat natural fancy dark greyish blue diamond, on permanent display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. Extracted in the 17th century, this famed and historic stone was sold to Louis XIV of France in 1668, before being stolen and re-cut. It re-appeared in the early 19th century, in a gem catalogue for the Hope banking family. It was purchased by Harry Winston in 1958 and set into a necklace, donated to the Smithsonian for permanent exhibition.
The Black Orlov Diamond
The Black Orlov Diamond, a natural deep gun-metal grey (fancy black) cushion cut diamond was most famed for its ‘curse,’ affecting its owners over generations. Originally weighing 195 carats, this famed stone was thought to be responsible for the suicides of three previous owners before it was eventually re-cut into three smaller stones in the mid 20th century in an attempt to break the curse – the principal 67.50 carat cushion cut stone was set into a brooch of 108 diamonds (pictured).
Liz worked in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter for one of the UK’s leading regional jewellery auction houses whilst completing her FGA and DGA qualifications from the Gem-A, achieving top marks in each.