Large diamonds are very rare and valuable things that represent wealth and prestige. Often seen as part of a vintage jewelry collection, there are a few large examples in museums and many people purchase diamonds for investment purposes as they only seem to gain value over time. Unlike stocks and bonds that fluctuate with the economy, diamonds are highly prized symbols of love and power.

Many kings and queens have owned large diamonds that have been mounted in crowns and scepters. The ancient pharaohs thought diamonds to hold magical powers and used them for rituals and other odd circumstances. Purchasing a large diamond at auction can be a very thrilling experience. Since diamonds are so individual, it is a sight to see a large diamond offered from an estate sale. Such is the case with the recently offered 32.01 carat emerald cut diamond that was recently offered by Christie’s, which sold for $7.6 million. Continue reading »

Anyone familiar with the famous diamonds of the world will recognize names like the “Star of Africa”, the “Cullinan I” or the “Hope Diamond”. These stones are both legendary and world-famous. Some of the best known diamonds are also lost to the world, for example the “Centenary Diamond” which was on display in the Tower of London for many years until its owners mysteriously removed it. To date, no word has been heard of the remarkable stone’s whereabouts, and most believe that it was purchased by a private collector.

What about some other famous, and yet not so famous stones? What about those known by the true diamond enthusiasts, yet not on a wider scale as well? Certainly there are many which have fascinating histories and are remarkable wonders of the natural world. A brief listing would have to include the following famous diamonds. Continue reading »

Imagine going out on your first archaeological dig and making the discovery of a lifetime. It seems like the stuff of daydreams and fantasies, but that’s what actually happened to Megan Webb, an American college student. She had decided to earn some summer credits by volunteering for a dig in Israel, only to find a rare portrait of Alexander the Great engraved on a carnelian gemstone. It appears to be part of a part of some ancient fashion jewelry, or a signet ring. While Ms. Webb doesn’t get to keep the piece, the find probably will look good on her application for graduate admission. Continue reading »

Screenwriters and novelists have always had a love affair with diamonds. What is it about diamonds that appeal to us writers? A list of great features about diamonds might include these five qualities:

1. Diamonds are literally billions of years old.
2. Diamonds are linked with romance and love.
3. Popular conceptions that diamonds are indestructible.
4. Diamonds are beautiful to look at because of their reflecting facets.
5. Diamonds always seem to motivate people to do outrageous things.

Indeed, diamonds serve as great motivation when writing a story. You could even say that diamonds can serve as a catalyst in a piece of fiction—that is an element that initiates or accelerates a reaction without itself being affected. This is apparent in many great movies and novels that have featured inanimate diamonds as one of the major “characters” in the plot. Consider just a few of these films and how a diamond (or bunch of diamonds) played a primary role in the storyline. Continue reading »

Can diamonds help the needy, ill or poor? If some famous donors (and an anonymous one) have their way, then certainly diamonds can work wonders!For proof of that fact a person would have only look to Elizabeth Taylor. The oft-married, and divorced, super star has a nearly legendary affection for jewelry of all kinds. She even named her famous perfumes after some of her favorite stones, including diamonds, emeralds and rubies.

She is usually seen wearing one of her most precious gifts, a ring presented to her by Richard Burton, and known as the “Krupp” diamond. This stone fared better than another, distinctly more expensive, diamond presented to Taylor by her husband of two separate marriages.

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Diamonds are much-loved for having a characteristic of timelessness. These gems are formed over millions of years of heat and pressure and represent the hardest natural substance known. Their fame, in the case of some very significant diamonds, seems to be equally timeless. Diamonds often carry the names of their most famous owners, contemporary and historical, and represent a great deal of history in and of themselves. Continue reading »

Movies bring us out of our humdrum existence and transport us to a fantasy world where women wear spectacular clothes and jewelry seemingly at all times. Even in a black and white film, diamonds sparkle like no other stone. Remember how beautiful Audrey Hepburn looked in a simple sparkling tiara? Or the loads of diamonds Mae West wore anywhere she could find space for them?
Those diamond necklaces, rings, and tiaras aren’t always fakes. Marilyn Monroe, famous for singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, wore a pear-shaped 26-carat diamond on screen to compliment her shocking pink outfit. Dorothy Hart played Tarzan’s Jane in the 1952 version Tarzan’s Savage Fury, and she sported a real 68-carat champagne stone. Continue reading »

A diamond still remains the favored stone of choice for engagement rings, but many women today are leaning towards either pink or yellow when it comes to choosing something unique that will make their engagement ring stand out. One of the reasons that so many women are choosing to have their engagement rings set with pink and yellow diamonds is not just because of their unique beauty, but also because of their rarity as well. It might seem as though pink and yellow diamonds are everywhere today, but they are still actually quite rare. Continue reading »

It isn’t just the good looks, fabulous clothes and incredible opportunities that all celebrities seem to have that make us crave their lifestyles—it is also their budgets! This is probably the reason that celebrity watchers are so fascinated by celebrity engagements rings. This is a good thing, because how else would we know all about the incredible gems that some celebrities give to their beloved? Continue reading »

If you love diamonds of all shapes and sizes and have a cool million left after your 401k tanked this year, you may consider investing in the currently under-priced fine and collector jewelry available at many upcoming auctions. The declining economy has affected diamond prices somewhat, especially those of collectible or historical value.Many high-income individuals prefer to invest in things such as rare diamonds during a time of economic stress, hoping to gain value when the economy bounces back. If this describes your situation, you’d be interested to know of the upcoming sales that will include the following items: Continue reading »