World’s Best and Most Famous Diamonds

Most precious among all the jewelry components, diamond has been favored all over the world since the inception of the civilization. It is well said that for men or women; diamonds are forever. Question is what makes diamond so popular and favorite of all? A look at some of the best and famous diamonds in the world and how they brought good luck or bad luck for their users could be enlightening for the readers.

3,000+ Carat Diamond
With a weight of around 3,106.75 carats, Cullinan diamond is the largest on the earth that was discovered in 1905 in South African Gauteng regions. Present abode of this diamond is the Tower of London. Strangely enough; discovery of this most precious gem of the world was accidental since the discoverer Frederic Wells, a mine superintendent found it at the side of the wall which he initially mistook as a large piece of glass and that ultimately turned out to be the largest diamond of the world. While the diamond was named after the mine owner Sri Thomas Cullinan, it was cut into 9 big and 96 small brilliant pieces by Joseph Asscher with Great Star of Africa which is also known as Cullinan 1, the biggest among the lot and largest cut diamond in the world. On his part; Fredericks received $10,000 for the discovery.

Diamond Associated to Legends
Long association with legends and myths is what gives the Hope Diamond name and fame and the popular belief is that the diamond is cursed. It is also said that anyone who touched it met with bad luck or death. It was in the possession of King Louis XIV and was stolen during French Revolution, was rediscovered and donated to Smithsonian institution where it is presently located.

Most Beautiful Diamond
When it comes to most beautiful diamond across the globe, invariably the Regent Diamond is referred to that was discovered in 1698 in India and was with Thomas Pitt, the Governor of Madras. It was sent to London and then was purchased by the Regent for the French Crown in 1717. From time to time the diamond has been placed on the crown of Charles X, band of Silver gild crown of Louis XV, hilt of the sword of the First Consul, and that of Empress Eugenie on the Grecian diadem. Its present abode is Louver in Paris.

Great Persian Diamond
Daya-ye-Noor or the sea of light in Persian language is not only extremely beautiful but also one of the rarest pink colored diamonds in the world. At around 182 carats it is one of the largest. Mined from Golconda in Andhra Pradesh in India, it was a prize possession of Mughal Emperors. In 1739 after the Persian invasion of Delhi the diamond went over there by Nadir Sah and remains there till date.

Fancy Yellow Diamond
Largest fancy yellow diamonds across the globe, Tiffany Yellow Diamond was discovered in the year 1878 at Kimberley in South Africa and weights around 287.42 carats originally but was cut out to 128.54 carats giving it a cushion shape with 90 facets. Cutting of the diamond was done by New York based Jeweler Charles Tiffany who bought it and subsequently allowed Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History located in Washington D.C till 2007. Only two women including famous actress from Hollywood Audrey Hepburn had worn the famous diamond in their lifetimes.

A Few Other Classic Diamonds
Some other classic diamonds are Dresden Diamond that weights around 41 carats and has emerald green color but its history is unknown and the Sancy Diamond that weighs 55 carats cut in pear shape and it belongs to Astor family of London since 1906. It is believed to be the property of Charles the Brave in 1470 and purchased from open market by Seigneur de Sancy in 1570 and hence the name Sancy for the gemstone. Shah Diamond is another that came from India and weighs around 88.70 carats with names of Shah of Persia and two other monarchs engraved on it. It has been in Kremlin in Moscow since 1829 after it was gifted to Tsar Nicholas. Nassak Diamond weighs 90 carats and is named after the Shiva Temple at Nassak that was looted by British people in 1818. The stone was cut out and shaped in New York in 1927 and is in private possession since then in United States.