Tuesday, November 24, 2009

10 Most beautiful Diamonds | Famous Diamonds

The Great Star of Africa


Star Africa diamond is the largest cut diamond in the world. The diamond was cut by a Company of Amsterdam who examined the diamond for six month before deciding how to cut it.

Koh-I-Noor


This diamond has the oldest recorded history, since 1304. It was re cut during the reign of Queen Victoria and is among the British Crown Jewels and now weighs 108.93 carats. The Koh-I-Noor is said to have come to earth as a gift from the god in India to a faithful worshipper.

The Excelsior


This diamond is not only one of the world’s largest diamonds it is the second largest diamond ever found in the world.

The Great Mogul


The Great Mogul was discovered in the 17th century in India. The stone was named after Shah Jehan the builder of the Taj Mahal. However the stone has disappeared. Some believe that the Koh-I-Noor diamond may have been cut from this stone after its loss.

The Idol’s Eye


flattened pear-shaped stone the size of a bantam’s egg, its polished size is 70.20 carats. Legend states that it was given as a ransom for Princess Rasheetah by the Sheik of Kashmir to the Sultan of Turkey who had abducted her.

The Regent


The Regent diamond was discovered in 1702 by an Indian slave near Golconda. The Regent is renowned for its exceptional limpidity and perfect cut and has the uncontestable reputation as the most beautiful diamond in the world.

The Orloff


The Orloff is the world’s third largest cut diamond. Its clarity is typical of the finest Indian diamonds and its color possesses a slight bluish-green tint.

The Blue Hope


It was thought to have part of the famous Blue Tavernier Diamond, brought to Europe from India in 1642. It was once owned by King Louis XIV. The diamond can be seen today in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

The Sancy


Sancy was first owned by Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, who lost it in battle in 1477. The stone is a pale yellow and is apparently of Indian origin and is said to be one of the first large diamonds to be cut with symmetrical facets.

Taylor-Burton


This pear shaped diamond was found in the Premier Mine in Transvaal South Africa, in 1966. Richard Burton bought the stone for Elizabeth Taylor for $1.1 million, renaming it “Taylor-Burton.