Famous Diamonds

The Great Star of Africa

The Great Star of Africa or the Cullinan I is the largest cut diamond in the world. It weighs 530.20 Carats and has 74 refracting sides. The diamond was cut from a 3106 Carat diamond called the Cullinan, the largest diamond crystal ever found. The Cullinan was discovered during a routine inspection of the Premiere Mine in Transvaal, South Africa in 1095. The diamond was divided into nine major and ninety six minor diamonds by Joseph Asscher and Company of Amsterdam, the largest being the Cullinan I. Currently the diamond rests on the Royal Sceptre along with the rest of the crown jewels in the Tower of London.

The Orloff

The journey of the Orlof began in India. This 300 Carat diamond was originally believed to be the eye of an idol of the Hindu deity Vishnu. A French deserter stole the diamond from idol’s socket and sold it to an English captain for a mere 2.000 pounds. The stone changed owners and soon reached Amsterdam. It was from here that the jewel reached the hands of the Russian count Grigori Orloff. He bought the gem for 90,000 pounds and gifted it to Empress Catherine as a token of love. The Empress set the stone on the Imperial Staff and it has been there ever since. The exceptional clarity, bluish green colour and exquisite cut are what make this diamond one of the most treasured jewels in the world.

The Centenary Diamond

The Premier Mine, Transvaal, South Africa, of the Cullinan fame, yielded another marvellous diamond in 1986. This diamond was weighed in at 599.10 Carats in the rough state. It took an elite team of master-cutters, led by Gabi Tolkowsky, three years to transform this diamond into a 273.85 Carat diamond named The Centenary Diamond. The diamond has 274 facets and is currently the third largest diamond in the world. This scintillating beauty was unveiled at the Tower of London in the month of May in the year 1991.

The Regent

The 140.50 Carat was discovered in India in 1698 by the Governor of Madras, Thomas Pitt. He sent the diamond overseas, to England, for cutting and polishing. In 1717 the regent purchased it from Pitt in order to adore the French Crown. The diamond was first set in the crown of Louis XV and later in the crown of his successor, Louis XVI. Later on it was encrusted in hilt of the sword of the First Consul Fontainebleau, Musée Napoléon 1st and later on the double edged sword of the Emperor. It was also seen on the crown of Charles X during his coronation in 1812. Despite being only the fourth largest diamond in the world, many consider it the most beautiful diamond due to its outstanding clarity and perfect cut. Today it can be seen at the Louvre, Paris, France.

Koh-i-Noor (Mountain of Light)

Weighed in at 105.60 Carats, the Koh-i-noor or mountain of light is perhaps the most famous diamond in the world. It has a long history dating back to 1304. It was captured from the Rajahs of Malwa by the Mughal Sultan Babur in the sixteenth century. From there on it fell unto the hands of the Afgan raider named Nadir Shah. After the death of Nadir Shah, the diamond came back to India and passed into the hands of the Sikh guru Ranjit Singh of Punjab. After a fight broke out between the Sikhs and the English, the English claimed ownership of the diamond and presented it to the queen. For centuries, the Koh-i-noor has been a part of the royal jewellery. Today it can be seen at the Tower of London along with the rest of the crown jewels.