The Great Star of Africa is currently listed as the largest cut diamond in the world. It is pear shaped and weighs in at a whopping 530.20 carats. It is part of the royal scepter and is kept along with the other crown jewels in the Tower of London. It was cut from the Cullian which was a 3,106 carat diamond crystal that went on to create 96 smaller stones. The legend of this diamond suggests that there may have been another half of the Cullian which would have been one impressive sized diamond crystal.
The Orloff diamond is bluish green in color and is an exceptionally pure gem that has an interesting history. The legend goes that the stone started out being a diamond eye of a Hindu idol. It was later stolen by a thief who only took one eye because of his fear of the repercussions. It was passed on to the Russian Count Grigori Orloff. It is currently held in the Diamond Treasury of Russia in Moscow.
The Centenary Diamond was first seen by the world in 1986 and it contains 247 facets and weighs in at 273.85 carats. It is the world’s largest, most modern cut and flawless diamond in existence today. It took three years to craft this diamond. The diamond was unveiled at the Tower of London in 1991. It has never been appraised but is believed to be worth over $100 million dollars.
The Taylor-Burton Diamond was first discovered in the Premier Mine in South Africa in 1966. It was 240.80 carats and was cut into a pear shaped 69.42 diamond. This diamond is priceless because of the celebrity who owned it. The famous actor Richard Burton purchased the gift for his wife Elizabeth Taylor. It is said he paid over a million dollars for it. After Richard Burton passed away, Elizabeth Taylor sold the stone to charity for $2.8 million dollars and allowed the diamond to go to a museum.
The Regent Diamond is considered one of the most beautiful diamonds ever seen. It was first discovered in 1698 in India. It was eventually sold to the French Prince Philippe II in 1717. The diamond was used in the royal crown and also as an adornment in the hat of Marie Antoinette. It was stolen during the revolution but recovered a short time later. Napoleon Bonaparte used the diamond on his sword until his death. Today it can be found in the French Royal Treasury at the Louvre.
Diamonds always seem to hold great mystery and mystic. People throughout the ages have cherished and coveted this precious gemstone. Diamonds and their legends will live on at least as long as diamond themselves and possibly for all history.
Lawerence Reaves. Article from DanforthDiamond.com, a leading authority on wedding ring sets, diamond rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING
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