Diamonds occur naturally and vary in size, color, and quality, so the largest of a particular color may not be large in absolute terms, but may still be considered very desirable. Diamonds may also have high valuations in sale prices, and large ones invariably have a noteworthy ownership history. There is no agreed-upon measure of a large or a high-quality diamond, and new ones displace others on any subjective list, so strict inclusion criteria for notable diamonds are not attainable.
27th largest white diamond found (at that time), and largest diamond from Angola, the 404 carats (80.8g) 4 February diamond was found in early February 2016, and was cut into a 163 carats (32.6g) flawless D-color emerald-shaped stone.
An Indian diamond which became famous during the days of the Mughal Empire. A diamond with a roughly pear-shaped outline and random faceting, including two Persian inscriptions, the first reading "Shah Akbar, the Grand King, 1028 A.H." (the letters mean Anno Hegirae). The second inscription read "To the Lord of Two Worlds, 1039 A.H. Shah Jehan". The diamond was reportedly part of the original Peacock Throne. Purchased in 1886 in Istanbul by London merchant George Blogg, who re-cut it from 116 carats (23.2g) to a pear-shape of 71.70 carats (14.340g), thus destroying the historic inscriptions. Blogg sold the stone in 1887 to Malhar Rao Gaekwad of Baroda, India who was the last known owner and the stone's whereabouts are presently unknown.
A 101.29-carat (20.258g) antique cushion-shaped brilliant fancy vivid yellow diamond which is believed to have been found in the Premier mine in the South African Republic. It got the name Allnatt[5] after one of its owners, Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt. The diamond was sold for a little more than $3 million at Christie's auction in Geneva in May 1996.
The largest diamond found by a park visitor in the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas since 1972, when it was established as a state park. It was found by W. W. Johnson of Amarillo, Texas in 1975 and was a 16.37 carats (3.27 g) white diamond, but it has since been cut into a 7.54 carats (1,510mg) marquise shape.
Argyle Pink Jubilee[7] is the largest pink diamond ever found in Australia weighing 12.76 carats. The diamond was found in Western Australia in Argyle Mine who is the largest producer of pink diamonds in the world.
Found in the Cullinan mine in 2014, cushion-shaped, and originally named the 'Blue Moon' diamond. Purchased for a record breaking 48.6 million Swiss francs (US48.4 million) at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva on 11 November 2015 by the Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau. He renamed it "The Blue Moon of Josephine" in honor of his daughter. The previous day he had bought the 'Sweet Josephine' diamond for her.[10][11]
90.38 carats (18.076g) - cut by Cartier around 1910. Thought to have been owned by Eleanor of Aquitaine in the early 12th century, by King Richard the Lion Heart who carried it during the third crusade, and King Henry II of France, which makes the Briolette of India the oldest diamond on record in the world, even older than the famous Koh-i-Noor.[12]
273.85 carats (54.770g), modified heart-shaped brilliant, the world's largest colorless (grade D), flawless diamond.
—
Chloe Diamond
84.37
colorless
Angola
Sold in November 2007 at Sotheby's in Geneva to Georges Marciano of the Guess clothing line for 18.2 million SFr, the second-highest price ever paid for a diamond at auction.[14]
Discovered in 1902 at the Jagersfontein Mine as a 280-carat (56g) crystal. The first cut was to 142 carats (28.4g); it was then cut three more times until, in 1993, it was a 79.12 carats (15.824g) radiant-cut with table facets that resemble a Maltese cross.[17]
When discovered in 1905 the 3106.75 carat (621.35 g) Cullinan was the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found. It was cut into 105 diamonds including the Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa, 530.2 carats (106.04 g), and the Cullinan II or the Second Star of Africa, 317.4 carats (63.48 g), both of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels.
The largest stone obtained from Cullinan diamond. Cullinan I or Great Star of Africa, with a weight of 530.4 carats, is the third largest cut diamond in the world. Currently located in the head of the Sovereign's Sceptre of the British Crown Jewels.
The second largest stone obtained from Cullinan diamond. Cullinan II or Second Star of Africa, with a weight of 317.4 carats, is also one of the largest cut diamonds in the world. As Cullinan I, it is also in the British Crown Jewels located in the Imperial State Crown.
The third largest stone obtained from Cullinan diamond. Cullinan III or Lesser Star of Africa, with a weight of 94.4 carats, is also part of the British Crown Jewels. No longer mounted in any of the crowns, it is frequently worn in combination with Cullinan IV as a brooch.
The largest pink diamond in the world, approximately 182 carats (36.4g), originally from India but now part of Iranian Crown Jewels. Its exact weight is not known; 182 carats (36.4g) is an estimate.
Weighing 5.03 carats (1.006g), the third-largest known red diamond GIA graded as "fancy dark reddish brown", was bought in a flea market on a hatpin by Sidney deYoung a prominent Boston estate jewelry merchant. It was donated by him to the Smithsonian InstitutionNational Museum of Natural History.
A 555-carat black diamond, cut to have 55 sides, is currently the largest cut diamond on Earth. It went on sale in Sotheby's in February 2022. Sotheby's claims that it may originate from a meteor, though this claim is disputed.[20][21][22]
Discovered in 2015, it is the 5th largest diamond ever discovered at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas Identified as a Type IIa crystal, the 8.52 carat diamond was cut and polished by Mike Botha into a custom-designed 4.605 carat Triolette shape during a week long event in North Little Rock and was graded a D IF, 0 Polish & 0 Symmetry by the American Gem Society Laboratories- making it the most valuable American diamond.
the first diamond found in South Africa, a yellow-brown 21.25-carat (4.250g) stone (before cutting) resulting in a finished diamond 10.73 carats (2.146g).
A lost diamond, light yellow with a weight of 137.27 carats (27.45 g).
Florentine (glass replica)
Fortuna Diamond
26.29
colourless
India
A cushion-shaped diamond set into a pendant with a 0.75ct Argyle pink diamond, and 4.5 carats of Argyle pinks. The stone has been given a name to fit its history, rarity and setting – the Fortuna Diamond. Classified as a Type 2A [24] with a colour grade of I and clarity grade of VVS2.[25]
—
Fortune Pink
18.18
pink
Brazil
Pear-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond sold for 28.4 million Swiss francs ($28.8 million), including fees and taxes, in 2022. It had been mined in Brazil over 15 years ago.[26]
(Stolen during French Revolution) Largest blue diamond allegedly discovered up to this date before its cut, it was faceted by Jean Pittan to be the main French Crown Jewel. Stolen, and then almost certainly cut into the Hope Diamond.
—
Golden Dawn
133
61.5
South Africa / Vaal River
Found in 1913, cut into an American cut brilliant.[27]
The Unnamed Brown as originally named, the Golden Jubilee[28] is the second largest faceted diamond ever cut at 545.67 carats (109.13 g), outweighing Cullinan I by 15.27 carats
A 302.37 carat D color high-clarity emerald cut diamond. It is the main stone cut from the Lesedi La Rona, bought by Graff in 2017 and cut in 2019. The cutting of the rough stone also produced 66 smaller stones. According to Graff, the stone is the "largest highest clarity, highest color diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)".[29][30]
24.78-carat (4.956g) A 24.78-carat Fancy Intense Pink diamond and, until the sale of the Sweet Josephine diamond in November 2015, it was the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction. Previously owned by Harry Winston and an unnamed private collector, and bought by Laurence Graff (November 2010).[31]
45.52 carats (9.104g), is a Fancy Dark Grayish-Blue diamond and supposedly cursed. Almost certainly cut from the French Blue Diamond. Part of the Smithsonian Collection.
A brownish-yellow diamond of 407.48 carats (81.496 g) cut from an 890 carat (178 g) rough diamond of the same name - it appeared on eBay in 2002. Internally Flawless clarity. Several other smaller diamonds were also cut from the crystal.
A 5.05-carat (1.010g) Emerald-cut red diamond formerly known simply as "Red Diamond". This is the second-largest known red diamond. It was cut from a 35-carat (7.0g) piece of boart discovered near Lichtenburg, South Africa. It reappeared in 2007 after a 37-year absence from sight, and was purchased by Kazanjian Brothers Inc.
A 105.6 carat (21.6 g) white of Indian origin-(Golconda diamonds), with a long and turbulent history and a good deal of legend surrounding it. After belonging to Kakatiya, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal, Persian, Afghan and Sikh rulers, it was surrendered in the 1849 Treaty of Lahore to Queen Victoria. It was recut from 191 ct, to its current size, and was part of the Crown of Queen Elizabeththe Queen Mother until her death in 2002. It is now on display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.
The colors of this sole and unique 32+ carat diamond evokes the well-known Koi fish legend and sacred symbolism cherished by East Asians. The graduations of color of white, orange, light yellow, darkblue and black colors in this diamond are reminiscent of ancient Chinese brush painting. The Koi Diamond has been certified by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America).[35]
Is the 15th-largest diamond, the tenth-largest white diamond, and the largest diamond to be found in 13 years. The original stone was 603 carats (120.6g), although the largest diamond after the cutting was 75 carats (15.0g).
—
Lulo Rose
170
Pink
Angola
The Lulo Rose is a Type IIa diamond, which is considered to be the finest and most rare.[39] The announcement of the discovery was made by Lucapa Diamond Company on 27 July 2022.[40]SODIAM, the subsidiary of Endiama, a state-owned diamond company in Angola, will put the pink diamond up for auction via an international bidding process.[41]
—
Martian Pink
12.04
pink
South Africa
Named by American jeweler Ronald Winston in 1976. Sold by auction in May 2012 for US$17 million, "the largest round fancy intense pink diamond to ever go under the hammer", according to Christie's.[42]
The Matryoshka is a unique diamond with another diamond moving freely inside. This is the first and only such diamond in the entire history of world diamond mining until October 2019.
An Indian mogul cut rumored to have served as the eye of a Hindu statue, and currently is part of the Kremlin diamond fund, weighing approximately 190 carats (38g).
A oval brilliant, once the largest diamond in England. Sold by lottery in 1801, auctioned by Christie's in 1802, current whereabouts unknown although a popular legend is that it was destroyed.
Modified oval brilliant cut (step cut crown, brilliant pavilion), largest known fancy vivid pink, at 59.60 carats (11.920g). Formerly known as the Steinmetz Pink, and the Pink Star.[46] Auctioned in Geneva by Sotheby's in 2013 for $83.187 million[47]
A colorless cushion-shaped stellar brilliant diamond weighing 41.28 carats (8.256g). Known for its symmetry, and once owned by Napoleon's older brother, it disappeared after being sold to a Sri Lankan diamond merchant in 1980 for a then-record $4.6 million.[49][50]
Antique cushion-cut, fancy intense pink, natural color, VS2 clarity, type IIa, displays bright orangey-red fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light (G.I.A.'s lab data);[51][52] discovered 300 years ago in the Golconda mines.[53]
Weights 140.64 carats (28.128g), is cushion-shaped stellar brilliant cut, formerly belonging to Louis XV, Louis XVI, and Napoleon Bonaparte, it now resides in the Louvre.
also known as the Dudley Diamond. This must not be confused with the Star of Africa. The Star of South Africa was the initial name given to this diamond, when it was purchased as an 83.5-carat (16.70g) rough diamond. The diamond is a D-color, pear-shaped stellar brilliant cut stone, weighing 47.69 carats (9.538g).
a 100.10-carat (20.020g) pear-shaped D-color, Internally Flawless stone. At $16,548,750 US in 1995 it held the world record for the highest price paid for a diamond at auction until the sale of the Wittelsbach-Graff diamond in 2008.[58]
A diamond which received a "perfect" 0/0/0 rating from the American Gem Society, weighing 3.03 carats (0.606g) rough and 1.09 carats (0.218g) cut. On exhibit at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, where it was found in 1990.
Strawn-Wagner
Stuart or Holland Diamond
39.75
light blue-green
Pear shaped rose cut diamond. Bought in 1690 as a rough stone by Queen Mary II Stuart, wife of King William of Orange. Therefore, also referred to as the Holland diamond. Belongs to the Dutch Royal House.[59]
The largest cushion-shaped stone classified in the elite "fancy vivid" category to ever come to auction. Owned by an American family of 15 years, it was sold at auction in November 2015 to Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau, and renamed by him the 'Sweet Josephine' after his daughter.[60] The next day he bought the 'Blue Moon of Josephine' diamond for her.[61]
Antique cushion-shaped brilliant cut, which is believed to have been found in the Premier mine in The South African Republic. It weighs 114.63 carats (22.926g).[62]
"The Rock" is about the size of a golf ball and was previously worn as a lavish Cartier necklace. This is a perfectly symmetrical pear-shaped form and one of the rarest gems ever to be sold at auction.[63]
The cushion-shaped flawless fancy vivid pink type IIa diamond was sold by Sotheby's Hong Kong on October 7, 2022, for $392 million Hong Kong dollars (US$49.9 million), setting a world record for the highest price per carat for a diamond sold at auction.[64][65][66]
The world's largest Fancy Vivid Pink. Previously named Pink Legacy, it was sold by Christies on 13 November 2018, for 50.3 million Swiss francs ($50 million, £38.5 million), to Harry Winston. Found in a South African mine around 100 years ago and has likely not been altered since it was first cut (rectangular cut) in 1920, and once owned by the Oppenheimer family, who ran De Beers.[67]
31.06 carats (6.212g), Fancy Deep Blue, cushion modified brilliant.[68] Was cut down from the 35.56 Wittelsbach Blue after being purchased in 2008.[68] At the time of the sale it was the highest price ever paid for a diamond at auction.[69]
A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond is perfectly transparent with no hue, or color. However, in reality almost no gem-sized natural diamonds are absolutely perfect. The color of a diamond may be affected by chemical impurities and/or structural defects in the crystal lattice. Depending on the hue and intensity of a diamond's coloration, a diamond's color can either detract from or enhance its value. For example, most white diamonds are discounted in price when more yellow hue is detectable, while intense pink diamonds or blue diamonds can be dramatically more valuable. Of all colored diamonds, red diamonds are the rarest. The Aurora Pyramid of Hope displays a spectacular array of naturally colored diamonds, including red diamonds.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a nonprofit institute based in Carlsbad, California. It is dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology and the jewelry arts. Founded in 1931, GIA's mission is to protect buyers and sellers of gemstones by setting and maintaining the standards used to evaluate gemstone quality. The institute does so through research, gem identification, diamond grading services, and a variety of educational programs. Through its library and subject experts, GIA acts as a resource of gem and jewelry information for the trade, the public and media outlets.
The Pink Star, formerly known as the Steinmetz Pink, is a diamond weighing 59.60 carats, rated in color as Fancy Vivid Pink by the Gemological Institute of America. The Pink Star was mined by De Beers in 1999 in South Africa, and weighed 132.5 carats in the rough. The Pink Star is the largest known diamond having been rated Vivid Pink. As a result of this exceptional rarity, the Beny Steinmetz Group called Steinmetz Diamonds took a cautious 20 months to cut the Pink. It was unveiled in Monaco on 29 May 2003 in a public ceremony.
The American Gem Society (AGS) is a trade association of retail jewelers, independent appraisers, suppliers, and selective industry members, which was founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley.
The Premier Mine is an underground diamond mine owned by Petra Diamonds in the town of Cullinan, 40 kilometres (25 mi) east of Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Established in 1902, it was renamed the Cullinan Diamond Mine in November 2003 in celebration of its centenary. The mine is a carrot-shaped volcanic pipe and has a surface area of 32 hectares. The mine rose to prominence in 1905, when the Cullinan Diamond – the largest rough diamond of gem quality ever found – was discovered there.
Harry Winston was an American jeweler. He donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958 after owning it for a decade. He also traded the Portuguese Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1963 in exchange for 3,800 carats of small diamonds.
Diamonds were largely inaccessible to investors until the recent advent of regulated commodities, due to a lack of price discovery and transparency. The characteristics of individual diamonds, especially the carat weight, color and clarity, have significant impact on values, but transactions were always private. With the standardized commodity as an underlying asset, several market traded financial instruments have been announced.
The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is a 31.06-carat (6.212 g) deep-blue diamond with internally flawless clarity, originating in the Kollur Mine, India. Laurence Graff purchased the Wittelsbach Diamond in 2008 for £16.4 million. In 2010, Graff revealed he had had the diamond cut by three diamond cutters to remove flaws. The diamond was now more than 4 carats (800 mg) lighter and was renamed the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond. There is controversy, as critics claim the recutting has so altered the diamond as to make it unrecognisable, compromising its historical integrity.
Graff is a British multinational jeweller based in London. It was founded by British jeweller Laurence Graff in 1960. A vertically integrated company, Graff operations comprise the design, manufacture and retail distribution of jewellery and watches.
"Australian Facetors Guild Limited - Did You Know. Amazing Record Breaking Gemstones". facetorsguild.com.au. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
Alexandre Reza was a Paris-based jeweler known for his diverse and rare collection of precious gemstones. He is lauded as the greatest gem collector of modern times.
The Princie Diamond is an approximately 34.65-carat cushion-cut fancy intense pink diamond discovered 300 years ago in the Golconda mines. Christie's say that the Princie Diamond is believed to be the fourth largest pink diamond in the world, after the Daria-i-Noor, the Noor-ol-Ain - which are both part of the Iranian Crown Jewels; both were cut, according to experts, from one single c. 242-carat pink diamond, - and the Pink Star, a diamond weighing 59.60 carats.
The Winston Blue is the name given to what was the largest flawless vivid blue diamond bought by Harry Winston, Inc. on May 15, 2014, from an anonymous person for $23.8 million at Christie's Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale. The approximately $1.8003 million per carat price paid for the 13.22-carat diamond is a world record for a blue diamond. Harry Winston, Inc. had also bought a 101.73-carat colorless diamond named Winston Legacy at Christie's Geneva jewelry auction in 2013. The American luxury jeweler had then paid $26.7 million for the colorless diamond, which is a world record for the highest price paid per carat for a colorless diamond.
The Sunrise Ruby has been the world's most expensive ruby, most expensive coloured gemstone, and most expensive gemstone other than a diamond until the discovery of the Estrela de Fura.
The Blue Moon of Josephine is a 12.03 carats (2.406 g) blue diamond, described as flawless by experts, that was discovered in South Africa in January 2014 and was sold at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva in November 2015 at a record-setting price of $48.4 million. The diamond is the largest cushion-shaped blue stone classified as "fancy vivid" ever to appear at auction.
The Sweet Josephine is a 16.08 carats (3.216 g) pink diamond that was sold at a Christie's auction in Geneva in November 2015 for $28.5 million, a record price for a jewel of its kind and one that exceeded its estimated price of $23-28 million.
Lesedi La Rona, formerly known in media as Karowe AK6 or as Quad 1 by the personnel at the mine, is the fifth-largest diamond ever found, and the third-largest of gem quality. It was found in the Karowe mine, in Botswana on 16November 2015.
Pink diamond is a type of diamond that has pink color. The source of their pink color is greatly debated in the gemological world but it is most commonly attributed to plastic deformation that these diamonds undergo during their formation.
Estrela de Fura is a 101-carat ruby, and in its rough shape, is considered amongst the largest gem quality rubies ever mined. The stone is characterized by an extremely rare vivid red hue, fluorescence, and clarity. The gem was originally discovered in the Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique, and its name is a Portuguese translation derived from Mozambique's official language. Estrela da Fura means "Star of Fura."
↑ Bryson, Sarah (2018). La Reine Blanche: Mary Tudor, A Life in Letters. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN9781445673899. Retrieved 9 July 2022. Francis I was reported to have been 'sore displeased at the loss of the diamond called "the Mirror of Naples".' Henry declared that it was 'but a small thing and her own by right' [...]. [...] [Francis] offered Henry 30,000 crowns for the return of the jewel but Henry laughed at this, saying it was worth twice as much. [...] Henry is reported to have worn the Mirror of Naples on his hat at his famous meeting with Francis in 1520 at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. [...] After this, the Mirror of Naples disappears from history.
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