Although its unlikely that any of the following Super-Diamonds will be on your shopping list at , we thought you’d enjoy seeing the stones that set the standard for diamond beauty:
This exquisite stone earned the name Kohl-I-Noor, “Mountain of Light,” thanks to its carat weight of l05.60. The oval-cut stone is believed at one time to have been set in the famous peacock throne of Shah Jehan and is now one of the British Crown Jewels
The Great Star of Africa is also known as the “Cullinan I,” deriving its name from Sir Thomas Cullinan, chair of the mining company credited with its discovery. Weighing in at 530.20 carats, the Great Star of Africa was cut from the largest diamond ever found. It is well-guarded in the Tower of London where it is an adornment on the scepter of King Edward VII.
A recent discovery, the Centenary Diamond was discovered in l986 at the Premier Mine. Master diamond cutter Gabi Tolkowsky took nearly three years to transform the stone – nearly 600 carats in the rough -- into the world's largest, flawless diamond with a modern cut -- a breathtaking 247 facets, 164 on the stone and 83 on its girdle. The cut stone weights a massive 273.85 carats.
According to legend, The Idol’s Eye was given as ransom by the Sheik of Kashmir for the return of Princess Rasheetah who had been abducted by the Sultan of Turkey. The flattened, pear-shaped stone has a polished weight of 70.20 carats and is roughly the size of a bantam’s egg.
This historic diamond comes from humble beginnings at the turn of the century. Discovered in l701 by an Indian slave, it
eventually came to be owned by English Prime Minister William Pitt. The cushion-shaped 140.50 carat stone was next sold to Duke of Orelans of France and called “The Pitt” after its former owner. The stone was re-named “The Regent” when it was set into the crown worn by Louis XV at his coronation.
The most notorious diamond in the world, with a “modest” weight of 45.52 carats, was once owned by Louis XIV. It was stolen during the French Revolution and re-surfaced in the mid-1800’s when it was bought by Henry Philip Hope after whom it is currently named. The Hope Diamond has a reputation for bringing bad luck to whomever possesses it – the entire Hope family died in poverty. The Hope Diamond can now be found at the Smithsonian in Washington.
With its winning bid at a l969 auction, one of New York’s most respected jeweler’s bought a nearly 70-carat weight diamond and immediately christened it “Cartier.” Just 24 hours later, Richard Burton bought it for undisclosed sum and re-named it “The Taylor-Burton” before presenting it to his beloved. In June 1979 it was sold again for nearly $3 million and was last reported to be in Saudi Arabia.
Since its purchase by Louis XIV, The Hortensia has been part of the French Crown Jewels. A peach-colored stone weighing 20 carats, it was named after the Queen of Holland who was the step-daughter of Napoleon. It is currently on display at the Louvre.
Make your own history! has beautiful heirloom pieces that are perfect for you and your “dynasty.”
