People have long sought after diamonds. Ever since man first
discovered how to cut and polish gemstones they found or dug from the earth,
diamonds have been considered highly valued. According to most historians, the
first diamonds were discovered near India, which has a long and rich history
with precious stones and jewelry. Here is a brief look at some of the more
famous – and infamous-diamonds.
Archduke Joseph Diamond
The Archduke Joseph Diamond is one of the Golconda diamonds, produced from the ancient
Indian mine. What makes it unique is the color and clarity. Measuring 74.65
carats and rated a flawless D, the diamond is a family heirloom of the Hasburg
Family from Hugary. Originally the property of Joseph of Alcsut the Archduke,
Joseph was a part of the Hungarian Government. During World War II, the diamond
was put into hiding in France.
Its whereabouts remained unknown until 1961 when it went on acution and sold
for 6.4 million dollars. Today, it is set in a remarkable necklace and is often
lent to celebrities for special functions. In 2002, Celine Dion wore the
necklace on her return performance on CBS.
Allnat Diamond
Currently in the "Splendor of Diamonds" collection
at the Smithsonian
Museum, the Allnat
Diamond is a cushion cut fancy vivid yellow diamond. Prior to 1950 there is not
recorded history for this diamond. Experts guess it came from the premier
diamond mine in South Africa.
In 1950 Major Allnat commissioned Cartier to make a setting for the diamond. It
sold at auction for more than 3 million dollars in 1996. The stone was re-cut
from 102.07 carats to 101.29 carats.
Hope Diamond
The previous record holder for being the largest faceted
diamond, the Hope Diamond is perhaps the most well known of all diamonds. It
was originally known as the Tavernier Blue which was a crudely cut triangular
diamond. According to legend, the Hope Diamond was stolen from the Indian
statue of Sita and purchased by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier around 1660. It is said
to have been cursed by the Hindu god because financial ruin or sudden death
occurred to many who owned it.
The diamond has passed through the hands of King Louis XIV,
who presented it to Marie Antoinette; Henry Philip Hope whose family faced financial
troubles; and the family of Evelyn Walsh McLean, who also sold the diamond to
settle outstanding debts. The stone was eventually sold to legendary jeweler
Harry Winston who had the lower portion of the stone cut to increase its
brilliance. After including the diamond in his traveling exhibit, Winston
donated the diamond to the Smithsonian Institute where he sent it through the U.S. postal
service in plain brown wrapper. In 2005, new computer research proved that the
Hope Diamond was indeed the French Blue that was stolen from the jewelry
collection of Marie Antoinette.
Koh-i-Noor Diamond
The Koh-i-Noor Diamond was originally the largest cut
diamond in the world. It passed through the hands of both Indian and Persian
rulers and was eventually seized by the United Kingdom when the country
took control of the region. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli sent the diamond
as a gift to Queen Victoria.
The stone was set into the Crown of the Queens Consort and was first worn by
Queen Alexandra, then Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. The diamond is currently
part of the collection of Crown Jewels.
Tiffany Diamond
One of the largest yellow diamonds ever discovered, the
Tiffany Diamond was discovered at the Kimberlite mine in South Africa in
1878. Originally 287 carats, the diamond was cut and polished into a cushion
shape and classified as a fancy yellow. Part of the collection at the Smithsonian Museum, the Tiffany Diamond is also part
of the promotion material for the film Breakfast
at Tiffany's featuring Audrey Hepburn.
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