For millennia, diamonds have attracted the attention of the wealthy, noble and powerful. A large diamond has become a status symbol. These stones crowned the crowns of great rulers, adorned the neckline of the most beautiful women and simply served, and indeed serve, the subject of universal admiration.
Today we propose to admire Top 10 largest diamonds in the world... Many of them have a history full of secrets, tragedies, mysteries and intrigues.
10. Millennium Star
This colorless diamond weighs 203.04 carats (40.6 grams) and is pear-shaped with 54 facets. The stone belongs to the world famous De Beers company. The 777-carat diamond from which this diamond was made was found in the Congo in 1990. It took jewelers more than 3 years to process the stone. The stone is insured for £ 100 million.
9. Red Cross
This diamond was crafted from a 205.07 carat (41 grams) canary yellow diamond. An eight-pointed Maltese cross is clearly visible through the upper facet of the stone. In addition, a diamond can glow in the dark, giving off the light accumulated during the day. The current owner of the diamond is unknown.
8. De Beers
The 234.65 carat (46.9 grams) pale yellow stone was made from a diamond discovered in 1888 in South Africa. Originally, the stone adorned the ceremonial necklace of the Indian prince Patiala. After the death of the prince, the stone disappeared, and the name of its current owner remains a mystery.
7. Jubilee (Jubilee)
This diamond weighs 245.35 carats (49 grams) and is cut in a cushion shape. The diamond from which the "Jubilee" was made was discovered in South Africa in 1895. The stone got its name in honor of the anniversary of the reign of the British Queen Victoria. The diamond changed owners many times, until Paul-Louis Weiller purchased it for the Smithsonian Institute Museum, where the stone can be seen by everyone.
6. Koh-i-noor
Today, this legendary 105-carat diamond adorns the crown of Queen Elizabeth of Britain. The history of the stone goes back at least 8 centuries. Initially, Koh-i-noor had a slight yellow tint, but after re-cutting in 1852 it became completely transparent.
5. The Centenary
This unique diamond of 273.85 carats (54.8 grams) belongs to De Beers. The stone has an original shape resembling a heart, as well as excellent characteristics - the highest color group (D) and clarity (FI). Experts say that no diamond of the same size has such characteristics.
4. Spirit of de Grisogono
The 312.24 carat (62.4 grams) gem is the world's largest black diamond. Swiss jeweler Fawaz Gruosi gave the diamond the shape of a rose using an ancient cutting style popular in India. Today the stone is crowned with a magnificent white gold ring. The diamond belongs to the De Grisogono jewelry company.
3. Incomparable
The diamond from which this diamond was born was accidentally found by a young girl near an abandoned mine in the Congo. The weight of the stone is 407.5 carats (81.5 g). "Incomparable" has an original triangular shape and golden yellow color. In 1988, the stone was purchased by Swiss Theodor Horowitz for $ 12 million.
2. Cullinan I
This stone was made from the world's largest Cullinan diamond, discovered in 1905. Several cut stones were made from the diamond, the most expensive diamond Cullinan I. The stone weighs 530.2 carats and has the shape of "pandel" with 74 facets. Today, the stone is kept in the Tower of London as part of the treasures of the British crown. By the way, another piece of the Cullinan diamond adorns the crown of the British Empire, located under the "Black Prince" ruby.
1. The Golden Jubilee
The yellow-brown diamond from which they made the world's largest diamond, weighed 755.5 carats. After cutting, which lasted 2 years, the stone weighs 545.67 carats. The shape of the diamond is called "cushion with fiery rose elements." Today the stone belongs to the Thai royal family.