MOST FAMOUS DIAMONDS IN THE WORLD

The Koh-i-Noor:

            The Koh-i-noor, meaning, the mountain of light, was one of the longest diamonds has a place of its own in history. Weighing about 108.93 carats, it is now a part of the British Crown Jewels. It is said to have been studded on the Peacock Throne belonging to Emperor Shah Jehan. It was then looted by Nadir Shah of Persia after a battle defeat and found its way back to India after the breakdown of the Persian Empire. It was then acquired by the British rulers in India.

The Great Star of Africa or the Cullinan:

            The star Africa diamond is a pear shaped one weighing about 530.20 carats and is the largest cut diamond in the world. It has 74 facets and is set in the Royal Sceptor and is kept along with other Crown Jewels in Britain. Before being cut from the Cullinan, the largest uncut diamond discovered in Transvaal, South Africa in 1095, it weighed 3,106 carats. It took Joseph Asscher and Company of Amsterdam, six months to examine and divide the Cullinan and was finally cut into 9 major and 96 minor brilliantly cut stones.

The Idol’s Eye:

            This pear-shaped diamond is the size of a bantam’s egg weighing 70.20 carats. It was formerly set in the eye of an idol and was later stolen. History has it that the Sultan of Turkey had abducted princess Rasheetah of Kashmir and had demanded the Idol’s eye as a ransom for her release to the Sheik. Its authentic appearance was said to have been registered at a Christie’s sale in London in 1865 and was bought by a mysterious person who was later identified as the 34^th Ottoman Sultan Abd al-Hamid II. It was then sold to a private buyer after a Dutch dealer, Harry Winston and the daughter of the co-founder of the Denver post possessed it.          

The Regent:

            The large stone with a light blue tinge originally weighed approximately 410 carats and was said to have been discovered by a slave in India. It was first owned by William Pitt, the British Prime Minister. He got the stone cut into its present cushion shape which took two years. It is now considered one of the most brilliantly cut diamonds of all. After being owned by many popular heads it is now placed at the Louvre in Paris.

The Blue Hope:

            Named after its purchaser Henry Thomas Hope is said to have brought bad luck to all its owners. It is believed to have been a part of the Blue Tavernier Diamond which was brought to Europe from India in the 17^th century. King Louis XIV had it cut from 112 carats to 67.5 carats and after being owned by many, it is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington.

The Sancy:

            The Sancy is a pear-shaped stone weighing 55 carats and was first owned by the Duke of Burgundy, Charles and lost it in a battle. It was named after another owner, Seigneur de Sancy. It suddenly disappeared during the French Revolution and was later found and now kept for view at the Louvre.

The Premier Rose:

            It was a triangular shaped stone of 352.9 carats found in the Premier mine in South Africa. It was later cut into three and the largest called Premier Rose weighed 137.02 carats with189 facets dimensioned 43.4 x 23.2 x 18.93. It received a ‘D’ flawless rating from the Gemological Institute of America. The Premier Rose is now in the possession of Robert Mouawad.

The Taylor-Burton:

            It is a pear-shaped stone of 69.42 carats found in the Premier mine, South Africa. Richard Burton bought this stone for Elizabeth Taylor and hence its name. Ms.Taylor wore it first at a charity ball in Monaco and she later put it up for sale for charity reasons. This priceless diamond is said to have been last seen in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.