April is here and with it another one of my blogs, since the first day of the month when I realized it was the month of diamonds I’ve had this blog in my mind.
I don’t think there is a more beautiful stone than this one, the diamond, let’s talk about it.
I know those of you with April birthdays love them, but all of us with different birthday months love them too, right? In fact, all of us at one point or another have dreamed of that day the diamond ring is placed on our finger on perhaps one of the most special days of your life, the day we get engaged!
There are other special occasions when you get diamonds such as: for your sweet sixteen, the day your first child is born, or that special wedding anniversary as well as many other special occasions in your life.
Here is what I know about diamonds, I truly hope you enjoy learning about them. As you know, I find all topics related to semi-precious and precious stones very interesting.
I.0 General Information
First and foremost, diamonds grow and are formed under the earth just like other stones. But what distinguishes diamonds from other stones is that they are the hardest natural stones on earth thus the reason why they are used in many industries.
Diamonds come from the following countries: Africa, Australia, Brazil, India, Russia, and the United States. Besides the pure colorless, and perfectly transparent diamonds, they can also be yellow, blue, pink and even brown.
There are also black diamonds which are extremely rare especially in their natural form. However, there are man-made black diamonds that come to life through a super heating process to make them black. In the last few years, black diamonds have become very popular despite their low cost due to low demand compared to their peers; like the traditional pure white diamonds or other colors that I mentioned earlier. There is a very popular black diamond called the Black Orlov. This is the biggest natural black diamond that exists today. Just to give you a rough idea about this rare jewel weighs 67.4 carats. One single black diamond is valued at a price ranging from $,1500 to $300 per carat for those diamonds weighing between 1 and 3 carats. That means that one black diamond ring can cost anywhere between $2,500 to $3,000, or more.
There is another famous and interesting black diamond, known as the “Carbonado”. Carbonado is a word of Portuguese origin meaning ‘burnt’. It is
similar to charcoal but it is the toughest form of natural diamonds used in various industries due to its extreme toughness.
II.0 The Largest Diamonds in the World.
Now, let’s talk about the biggest diamonds in the world which are essentially ten:
1) Cullinan Diamond – it is found in South Africa, this was the biggest rough diamond weighing 3,106.75 carats, approximately 621.35 grams and a total
weight of 1.24 pounds. (Photo Source: Wikipedia).
2) Koh-i-noor Diamond – it’s an oval shaped gem and it is part of the British Crown Jewels. It is displayed in the queen mother’s crown and its name
means “Mountain of Light”. (Photo Source: Getty Images).
3) Orlov Diamond – also known as Orlof, this diamond has the shape and size of an egg cut in half. It was discovered and stolen by a French soldier in a
Hindu temple. This diamond has been through many owners since it was first discovered but today is currently displayed as a part of the Diamond
Fund collection of Moscow’s Kremlin Armoury. (Photo Source: elkan wijnberg).
4) Centenary Diamond – this was discovered in the same mine where the Cullinan diamond was found in South Africa. It originally weighed 599.10
carats. It took the experienced Gabi Tolkowsky and his team three year to cut it. (Photo Source:www.debeersgroup.com)
5) Regent Diamond – shaped in diamond form, this jewel was set in Louis XV’s crown when he took the throne. After that it belonged to Napoleon
Bonaparte who carried it in his sword’s handle. Today this diamond is on display at the Louvre next to other jewels of the French Crown. ( Photo Source: Public Domain).
6) Taylor-Burton Diamond – This was discovered in a premier mine in South Africa. It’s rough stone weight was an amazing 240.80 carats and once cut it weighed 69.42 carats. The actor Richard Burton purchased the jewel from Cartier for his wife Elizabeth Taylor. Burton paid $1,100,000. Upon his death, Elizabeth sold it for $2.8 million which he donated in his memory to build a hospital in Botswana. (Photo Source: I do not intend to infringe any copyrights, this picture it is not mine. Only using it to help people know about this diamond).
7) Idol’s Eye Diamond – This is the biggest blue diamond in the world and it has different stories. It was missing for 300 years and in 1934 its owner was
Sultan Abdul Hamid II of the Ottoman Empire. The stone went to several owners, three owners were identified before it went missing again and to
this day its location and or owner is unknown. The idol’s eye diamond is still missing. ( Photo Source: I do not intend to infringe any copyrights, this picture it is not mine. Only using it to help people know about this diamond).
8) The Beau Sancy Diamond – is a 34.98 carat diamond whose owner was Marie d’ Medici, wife of Henry IV of France. This diamond originated in
Brazil like its counterparts the Hope, Koi-Noor and Regent diamonds. Its first owner was Nicolas Harlay of Sancy who owned an even bigger diamond
known as ‘The Sancy’ with a weight of 55.43 carats. It was sold at an auction to an anonymous buyer. ( Photo Source: CCBY-SA3.0)
9) Blue Hope Diamond – It was owned by Loui XIV during the French Revolution. It disappeared and appeared again in 1830 when purchased by
Henry Hope. It is known as the ‘blue diamond’ or ‘cursed stone’ and it was believed to bring bad luck. Finally it was donated to the Smithsonian
Institute in 1958. Today its exhibit is displayed in the Museum of Natural Art in Washington. (Photo Source CCBY-SA3.0).
10) Hortensia Diamond – This 20 carat peach colored stone, has its name from the Queen of Holland Hortense de Beauharnais. She is Josephine’s
daughter and Napoleon Bonaparte’s step-daughter. Today this gem is displayed at the Louvre in Paris next to the Regent diamond. (Photo Source: CCBY-SA3.0)
Diamond mines are becoming extinct, so it is a good idea to purchase these stones as a long term investment. Investing in diamonds is more lucrative than investing in gold; it is definitely more profitable.
We’ve learned the stories of diamonds that have survived eras, wars, owners and thefts and yet continue to exist in different places and with different owners. Is that the reason why ‘Diamonds are Forever’? What do you think? Leave your comments, I’d love to read what you think.
With Everlasting Passion,
Jackie
Note: If you like diamonds, follow Mike’s instagram account @mike_netka. You will be breathless after admiring his jewels.
