The World's Most Famous Diamonds
Whiteflash is synonymous with the pursuit of the world’s most exceptional and accessible diamonds. We take pride in presenting a celebration of the most famous diamonds; from the vibrant rosy hues of the Pink Star diamond to the colorless marvel of The Millennium Star diamond, each and every treasure has a story to tell and facets to admire.
Join us in a celebration of the most famous diamonds from across the world, each gem is a testament to excellence and an invitation to delve into the world of fine jewelry. Let's get started!
1. The Hope Diamond
Estimated value: US$200–350 million
Shape and Cut: Antique cushion
Color: Fancy Dark Grayish Blue
Ironically titled the Hope diamond (named after its purchaser, Henry Thomas Hope), this sight to behold had a long and illustrious history before it became related to a run of bad luck for its owners.
It is said that the diamond carries a curse that brings misfortunes and tragedies to those who own it or wear it. In ordinary light, it shows a dark grayish-blue color due to trace amounts of boron inside its crystal structure. The Hope Diamond's
mesmerizing color, combined with an aura of mystery and superstition, contributes to its allure and surrounding legend.
Currently, it can be seen at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. From the hands of kings and queens to its current resting place in a museum, the diamond's amazing journey adds yet another layer to its captivating tale.
There are certain fancy diamond colors that are exceptionally rare and highly coveted due to their unique hues and depth of color. With the help of celebrity engagements and high-profile appearances in the fashion and entertainment worlds, these diamond colors often command premium prices in the diamond market.
As a rule, the more intense and deeper the color, the more expensive the diamond.
As lab-grown diamonds become more accessible and affordable, the landscape of fancy colored diamonds is changing. The cost-effective nature of lab-grown diamonds allows enthusiasts to explore the fascinating world of fancy colored diamonds - without breaking the bank.
2. The Cullinan Diamond I - Star Africa
Estimated value: US$200–350 million
Shape and Cut: Pear, 74 Facets
The Cullinan I is the world's largest clear cut diamond, weighing 530.20 carats. During a tour of the Premier Mine in Transvaal, South Africa, the Cullinan was discovered. Before cutting the Cullinan, Joseph Asscher and Company of Amsterdam analyzed the enormous crystal for six months before determining the perfect cutting plan.
Cullinan produced stones of various cuts and sizes, the largest of which is named Cullinan I, or the Great Star of Africa by Edward VII. In total, nine major stones were produced, along with 96 smaller stones.
In the early days of Cullinan's discovery, certain signs suggested that it might be part of a much greater diamond. It has yet to be authenticated if the "missing half" has been discovered.
There are still few diamonds that can match the size of Cullinan I, and it still stands as the world's biggest clear cut diamond. It was surpassed as the world's largest cut diamond of any color by the 545.67-carat (109.134 g) brown Golden Jubilee Diamond in 1992.
This Cullinan I is now on display at the Tower of London as part of the Crown Jewels placed in the Royal Sceptre by King Edward VII.
3. The Koh-i-Noor
The Koh-i-Noor, believed by many to be a gift from a god with supernatural powers, first appears in historical records in the 16th Century in the memoirs of Sultan Barbur, the founder of the Mogul Empire. Theories suggest the gem was first uncovered as early as the 14th Century, making it the oldest known faceted diamond.
The diamond, passed through various owners amid battles, eventually made its way to India after the break-up of the Persian Empire. Acquired by the East India Company in the midst of Sikh-British conflicts, it was presented to Queen Victoria in 1850 as a partial indemnity.
It has been said that whoever owned the Koh-I-Noor ruled the world. The diamond was given to Queen Victoria in 1850 and weighed 186ct. In 1852 it was cut into a
Round Brilliant weighing 108.93ct, and the splendid diamond has been used in the crowns of various Kings and Queens, currently on display in the Tower of London.
Despite not being the world’s largest diamond, the historical significance and colorful past of the Koh-i-Noor is largely why it is believed to be the world’s most expensive diamond.
When combined with precision cutting and optimal light performance, collection quality diamonds are some of the rarest and most beautiful pieces that exist.
A CUT ABOVE® Collection Series diamonds, in colors DEF and FL-VVS purity, have an undisputed pedigree in this category.
The
A CUT ABOVE® is our internationally recognized brand of Super Ideal Cut diamonds, Round and Princess. Many shoppers wonder if top quality is really necessary because even commercial quality diamonds can be very attractive. The decision is a very personal one based on budget and the desire to own the "best of the best'', as diamonds of lower gemological grades can also be very beautiful.
Crafted with ultimate precision, these diamonds, like the Koh-I-Noor in an earlier era, are designed to radiate brilliance and capture the essence of perfection. These extraordinary gems represent the pinnacle of
diamond cut quality, taking light performance to the extreme.
The A CUT ABOVE® is the most carefully crafted, comprehensively analyzed and thoroughly reviewed diamond in the world. We invite you to browse the icy allure of these extraordinary diamonds.
4. The Pink Star
Estimated value: US$71.2 million (2017)
Shape: Mixed Oval Brilliant
Color: Fancy vivid Pink diamond
The most expensive diamond to sell at auction is the recent sale of a beautiful pink diamond, known as the Pink Star. It was sold in Hong Kong for more than $71,000,000. Formerly known as the Steinmetz Pink, The Pink star is a Fancy vivid Pink diamond weighing 59.6 carats - it is also one of the largest diamonds to be sold at auction.
Mined by De Beers in 1999 in South Africa, it underwent a meticulous two-year cutting process by Steinmetz, resulting in a unique "Mixed Oval Brilliant" cut with step cut crown and brilliant cut pavilion. A combination between a brilliant and an oval is not that uncommon, but instead of regular facets, they polished a step cut crown and a brilliant cut pavilion. You may recognize step cut facets from
emerald cut diamonds and
Asscher cut diamonds.
The combination of faceting styles creates a captivating star shape inside the stone, earning it its distinctive name. This Fancy Vivid Pink diamond is an extreme rarity, with only a small fraction of natural diamonds of any size exhibiting such vibrant color.
5. The Incomparable Diamond
Estimated value: $55 million (2013)
Shape: Shield-Shaped Step cut
Color: Fancy deep brownish yellow
Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
The Incomparable Diamond takes its place in the world as one of the largest and most breathtaking diamonds in existence. Yet another African diamond, the Incomparable Diamond set a world record as the most expensive necklace when it sold in 2013 for an incredible $55 million.
It was found in 1989 when a girl noticed the diamond among rubble and gave it to her uncle. With its impressive weight of 407.78-carats, it is the fourth biggest gem-quality rough stone to ever be discovered! It’s a fancy deep brownish yellow color diamond.
During the cutting of the diamond, it was discovered that the Incomparable appears to vary in color, which was unusual.
Color variation was large; some parts were nearly colorless, some were pale yellow, and some were rich yellow with a brown overtone.
There was a dilemma facing its owners: Should they seek a gem larger than the Cullinan I (530.20 carats) or could they remove the inclusions and make a smaller, flawless gem? In the hands of the experts, the yellow-brown stone was shaped into a triangular shape, which led it to become the star of the necklace.
There are 35 round diamonds, 27 pear diamonds, nine
heart-shaped diamonds, five emerald-cut diamonds, five cushion diamonds, four oval diamonds, three Asscher-cut diamonds, and two radiant diamonds
surrounded by 18k gold.
6. The Dresden Green
Shape: Modified a pear-shaped brilliant cut
The Dresden Green is a truly stunning 41 carat modified pear-shaped apple green colored diamond. It is the largest diamond of its kind; originally from India but was acquired by Augustus III of Poland from a Dutch merchant in 1742.
In its rough form, the Dresden Green diamond probably weighed more than 100 carats. There is a high probability that it was originally an elongated, unbroken stone, as greenish diamonds seldom form cleavages. To emphasize the diamond's
unusual color, the craftsman modified a
pear-shaped brilliant cut to leave it extremely thick in the center.
It is said to be potentially internally flawless, if slightly recut. The diamond also displays an almost uniform distribution of green color - a very rare sight indeed.
In addition to the diamond, approximately 400 small white diamonds were set in an extremely elaborate and valuable hat ornament. In 1958, the Dresden diamond was returned to its original owners after being taken by the Russians after World War 2. Currently, it is on display at Dresden Castle, the capital of Saxony in Germany, where it has been for most of the last two centuries.
7. The Golden Jubilee Diamond
Estimated value: $4-12 Million USD
Color: Fancy Yellow-Brown
At 109.13 grams, the Golden Jubilee Diamond is the biggest cut and
faceted diamond in the world. At 545.67 carats, it outweighs the Cullinan I diamond by a whopping 15.37 carats and comfortably sits as one of the world’s most famous diamonds.
It came from the Premier Mine, which has yielded some other famous diamonds including the famed Cullinan Diamond and the Taylor-Burton Diamond. Although the diamond appears golden to orange in images, it has been graded officially as fancy yellow-brown.
Prior to its cutting, it was considered to be a very unattractive stone; even its name, "Unnamed Brown Diamond," sounded unappealing. This diamond was transformed into the diamond it is today after being given its unique fire rose
cushion cut.
Many of the world's biggest diamonds have long histories, but the story behind the Golden Jubilee Diamond is relatively short. The stone was discovered in 1985, and has had only a few owners since then.
To commemorate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 50th coronation anniversary, the diamond was presented to him. In recognition of this occasion, it was renamed "Golden Jubilee Diamond." A much better name to honor such a jewel. Today, the Golden Jubilee Diamond remains in the Royal Thai Palace, where it is part of the Crown Jewels.
8. The Millennium Star
Estimated value: Insured for £100,000,000
Clarity: FL - completely free of inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external)
Origin: Mbuji-Mayi district of Zaire
For years, gemologists, collectors, and the general public have been fascinated by the Millennium Diamond, a symbol of affluence and luxury. Its extraordinary size, dazzling shape, fascinating geological details, eminent owners, and immense value have made it a famous diamond to be admired throughout history.
The diamond was discovered as an enormous rough diamond weighing 777 carats in 1990 in the Mbuji-Mayi district of Zaire, making it the sixth largest rough diamond ever found. During the early to mid-1990s, when Zaire's civil war was at its height, De Beers purchased the diamond.
In the course of three years, the Millennium Diamond was cut and polished into a beautiful, pear-shaped gem weighing 203.04 carats, making it one of the largest colorless, flawless diamonds in the world.
There are fewer than 2% of diamonds of any size with such qualities, which makes the Millenium Star even more exclusive. Generations to come will undoubtedly be inspired and fascinated by its legacy.
A wide selection of exquisitely crafted diamonds, both natural and lab-grown, are available at Whiteflash, including the elegant pear shape.
9. Heart of Eternity
Estimated value: at least $16 million
The Heart of Eternity is a member of an exceptionally rare class of colored diamonds. It’s a fancy vivid blue diamond that weighs a hefty 27.64 carats. South Africa's Premier Mine is known for its blue diamonds, and was the site of the discovery of this renowned heart-shaped diamond.
The stunning blue hue and intricate shape of this diamond, cut and sold by the Steinmetz Group to the De Beers Corporation, mesmerized the general public as well as diamond experts. The Heart of Eternity’s final shape, a perfectly symmetrical heart, was a bold choice and a daring display of the Steinmetz Group’s mastery.
The result is an incredible 27.64-carat diamond that is as perfect in form as it is in color. Though the final weight may only be a fraction of the rough diamond, the balance between size, shape, and color is what makes the gem so valuable.
In a twist of events, it was almost stolen in the Millennium Dome diamond heist in 2000 in London, UK, but thanks to the Metropolitan Police, it was left unscathed.
Currently, the ownership of the Heart of Eternity remains a mystery. This enigma is reminiscent of the fictional Heart of the Ocean, the 56-carat blue diamond featured prominently in the 1997 movie Titanic. Just as the Titanic's gem left audiences captivated, the true owner of the Heart of Eternity remains a captivating unknown.
10. The Orlov (Orloff)
Color: White with a faint bluish-green tinge
This exceptionally pure and clear bluish-green diamond is estimated to weigh around 190 carats - though that has never been officially confirmed. As with other gemstones, it has a complex, obscure history. In terms of disputed heritage, perhaps there is no diamond more famous than the Orlov.
A glimpse of the history of this captivating relic, which resembles half a hen's egg in shape and proportion, can be dated back to the 18th century. Although the details of the Orlov's story have been lost over time, it is widely reported that the diamond once served as an eye on a temple statue in southern India.
With the passage of time, so many stories and legends have been associated with this impressive stone that it is impossible to discern fact from fiction.
The Orlov diamond, owned once by the Romanovs, is now part of the Diamond Fund of the Moscow Kremlin. The stone is set on an Imperial Sceptre which none other than Catherine the Great had commissioned in 1784 for the stone.
Whatever legend one chooses to believe about the Orlov Diamond, one undisputed fact remains: the stone still exists, in its original, fascinating Mughal Cut form and is undoubtedly impressive.
Find Your Legendary Diamond With Whiteflash
The timeless allure of sparkling diamonds knows no bounds. Whether you are enamored by the icy colorless diamond or wish to own a fancy color at a modest cost, the emergence of lab-grown diamonds has made it more affordable than ever to indulge in the vivid beauty of colored diamonds, or splurge on top-end colorless diamonds, without compromising on quality.
While Whiteflash is best known for the finest in natural diamonds, with our expertise in cut quality the lab diamonds we stock are the ‘best of the best’ on the market. They are beautifully cut with grades at the very top of the scale in terms of color and clarity (DEFG color VVS1 -VS1 clarity). You can browse our in-stock offerings at our
Precision Lab page.
Whether you're looking for the perfect engagement ring, a stunning pendant, or any other piece of jewelry to adorn yourself or a loved one, our exquisite diamonds offer a world of possibilities.
Should you have any questions about choosing the perfect diamond, deciding on settings, or exploring your precious metal options, our team of experts is here to assist you.
Feel free to get in touch with us, and let us help you bring your vision to life with the perfect diamond! Your journey into the world of diamonds awaits.