The Best Diamonds in the world - The History of Famous Jewels

They say that diamonds are forever, and it feels as if these jewels have been in the limelight since time began! We’ve had a closer look at some of the best diamonds in the world and the fascinating history behind them. 

The Orlov Diamond

The Orlov also known as ‘Orloff’ has an undefined history however many speculations follow a similar theme. The diamond, weighing 189.62 carats is thought to have been found in India. However, the date of its discovery is still unknown. The stone was purchased by Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov, a Russian Count in the 18th century. He gave the diamond to his lover, Catherine the Great, to rekindle their romance. However, she declined his offer and had the stone set in a spectre for him, now known as The Imperial Spectre. 

The diamond, which has a faint bluish-green shade is said to resemble the shape of half of an egg and still retains is original rose-style cut. Today it can be found as part of the Diamond Fund collection in the Moscow Kremlin.

Credit: Upper Side


The Centenary Diamond

Found in South Africa in 1986, The Centenary Diamond is one of the largest top colour diamonds ever found, being graded as a D and also as flawless both internally and externally. Revealed in its final form by De Beers in 1991 was a 273.85ct modified heart cut diamond. The Diamond, formerly owned by De Beers was celebrated at the centennial celebration of De Beers Consolidated Mines in May 1988, resulting in its name. The current owner however is anonymous.


Credit: Worthy

The Regent

One of the most famous diamonds in the world, the Regent diamond was found in 1698 by a fortunate slave in India. The slave had hidden the jewel in a wound on his leg, later to be discovered by an English sea captain, who murdered the slave and sold the diamond to an Indian merchant.

In 1701, the diamond was acquired by Thomas Pitt, the Governor of St George, which is why it is sometimes known as ‘The Pitt Diamond’. Thomas purchased the diamond for £20,400, which is now equivalent to approximately £2,986,000.

After it had made its way into the crowns of Louis XV and Louis XVI in France, it became known as the Regent. The 140.64ct cushion cut diamond now resides at the Louvre in Paris.


Credit: Worthy

The Blue Hope

When it was first documented in 1812 it was stated that, although unclear, it is believed that this famous diamond was mined in India. Originally weighing 112 carats as an uncut stone, by 1839 the blue diamond weighed just over forty-five carats and was discovered in the collection catalogue of a diamond collector named Henry Phillip Hope. Consequently, the diamond became known as the ‘Hope Diamond’. 

This diamond was a special discovery. 100% pure diamonds with no chemical impurities are transparent; however, the Hope Diamond contains boron. It is the trace of this chemical that gives the diamond its distinguishing greyish-blue hue.

Despite its beauty and magnificence, this diamond is also believed to be cursed. It was thought that the diamond brings bad luck to all, as it was stolen from the eye of a God statue in India. Many of its owners had suddenly died, were murdered or lost all their assets. The blue hope diamond can now be found at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.   


Credit: Worthy

The Cullinan

The Cullinan was found in South Africa in 1905. Weighing a great 3106.75ct, the stone is the biggest rough gem-quality diamond ever uncovered. It was discovered by miner Thomas Evan Powell and was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the mine.

The Cullinan has since been cut into nine smaller stones, with the biggest of them known as the Great Star of Africa, a 530.20ct pear cut diamond.


Credit: Cullinan Diamond

The Koh-I-Noor

The name Koh-I-Noor signifies “Mountain of Light” in the Persian language and it’s another one of the famous diamonds said to have a legend of curses. Discovered at a mine in India, the 105.6ct oval cut diamond has a myth that whoever owns the diamond will one day rule the world. Coincidentally, the diamond found its way to the crown of Queen Elizabeth in 1850. However, all men who have had ownership of it suffered disaster or premature death. 


Credit: Worthy

The Jonker

The Jonker diamond was discovered in South Africa by Johannes Jacobus Jonker on 17th January 1934. The diamond weighed in at 726 carats, which during that period was the fourth largest uncut gem ever found. In 1935, it was purchased by the famous jeweller, Harry Winston, for £150,000.

The last known location of the Jonker was in Hong Kong in 1977. Its value now reaches $2.25M and the owner remains anonymous.

Credit: Doron Merav Blog


The Wittelsbach

The Wittelsbach diamond’s earliest records date back to 1664 when it was given by Philip IV of Spain to his daughter Infanta for her engagement. The Wittelsbach is internally flawless with a gorgeous deep-blue shade. Laurence Graff acquired the Wittelsbach diamond in 2008 for £16.4 million. 

Two years later, Laurence Graff announced he had had the diamond re-cut by three diamond cutters to remove damage and enhance its blue hue. The diamond, at 31.06ct, was now more than four carats lighter and was renamed the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond. 

Credit: Naturally Coloured


The Tiffany Diamond

The Tiffany was, until recently, known as the largest yellow diamond ever discovered at 287.42ct in rough. Found in South Africa in 1877 the diamond was purchased by Tiffany & Co and cut into a 128.54 cushion cut diamond. The Tiffany diamond has been on display at the New York Tiffany & Co store for the past 70 years and has become a complete icon for the company who have been in possession of the stone for 129 years.

Credit: Tiffany


The Millennium Star

When the diamond was discovered in 1990, it had the magic weight of 777 carats, which was considered a lucky number.

It took a whole three years to cut completely and perfect the stone, travelling between Belgium, South Africa and New York. Laser techniques were used to create its iconic pear shape, and it is now insured for an enormous £100,000,000.

The 203.04ct Millennium Star was the primary focus of the De Beers Company's limited edition Millennium Diamonds Collection. The collection also featured 11 other extremely rare blue diamonds and was on display for the year of 2000 at the Millennium Dome.

Credit: Diacore

We hope you enjoyed reading the Rich Diamonds take on the best diamonds in the world and their intriguing history. If you are looking to purchase that special diamond to add to your collection look no further, we have a beautiful selection of sparkle that will take your breath away. For more information, contact us on 0207 491 0042 or email us at selling@richdiamonds.com if you have a spring clean of your diamonds!

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