Whenever someone receives a diamond as a gift there is usually a story behind it. Whether it was given in a snow-filled park on a beautiful winter night, or on a beach when the stars and moon were in full view, the stories are always memorable. Diamonds represent many things. They can be used to tell someone “I love you,” or “I am sorry.”
Whatever the reason is, people always remember the moment when they received their diamond. It doesn’t matter if it was a ring, necklace or a bracelet. There are many famous diamonds that have stories to go with them as well. Whether you have heard about them or not, there are some that are very famous. One is the Black Orlov Diamond. This 67 carat diamond has been seen by many people and has been exhibited at many places. A few places are the Texas State Fair in 1964, the Carnegie Museum and the American Museum of Natural History.
This dark steely gray stone was first owned by Charles Winson and valued at $150,000. He began showing it in the early fifties and then sold it for double in 1969. Many people bought and sold the Black Orlov after that and then in 1995 an auction house sold it for $1.5 million. There are many legends that surround this diamond though. Some say that two different owners have plunged to their death after purchasing the diamond. Legend states that it was originally called the Eye of Brahma and was stolen by a monk in India. The Orlov is currently owned by Dennis Petimezas who is looking into the rumors of the diamond.
Another famous diamond story is about the Hope Diamond. This stone has quite the reputation. Louis XIV of France wore the 67 carat diamond on quite a few occasions. It became known as the “French Blue,” or the “Blue Diamond of the Crown.” It was stolen during the French Revolution in 1792 and was thought to have been acquired by King George IV of England. After his death it was sold to pay off some debts. Many owners had there fair share of time with the Hope Diamond until it was bought by Evalyn Walsh McLean in 1911. She had the 44 carat set in a pendant with 16 white diamonds surrounding it and a chain of 45 white diamonds. After her death it was donated to the Smithsonian by Harry Winston in 1958.
One of the largest diamonds that was ever found is called the Cullinan Diamond. This 3106 carat diamond was found in South Africa and was cut into 105 smaller diamonds. The largest of those that was cut is called the Star of Africa and is 530 carats. It was given to King Edward VII in 1907 and set in the Royal Scepter. You can now find it in the Tower of London with many other jewels.
There are many stories surrounding diamonds. Many people think that they are just mined, cut into a shape and then sold. Diamonds have history and excitement behind them. You never know where the diamond that you bought originated and what the miners went through to get yours where it is today.
Many people go through a lot to purchase exquisite diamonds. Love is usually the main reason that someone buys another person a diamond. Richard Burton bought Elizabeth Taylor a 69 carat diamond. It was originally known as the Cartier diamond but the name was changed to the Burton-Taylor diamond. Cartier Inc. paid a record price of $1,050,000 for it. Taylor was given the diamond and wore it to Princess Grace’s 40th birthday in Monaco. Believe it or not, the diamond was sold in 1978 and the money that she received for it was used to build a hospital in Botswana. Now that is a valuable diamond.
The old saying is that diamonds last forever. Hearing some of these stories and realizing how old some of them are makes you realize that this statement is true. Diamonds are cut into many styles, sizes and shapes before you see them. Knowing that will last a lifetime for the person that you buy it for makes you apt to spend more time picking it out and making sure it is the right fit for the person that you are buying it for.
These stories also make you realize that giving someone a diamond will result in others hearing about how you presented it to them. Handing it to them in a gift box may not be so exciting anymore. Dress up your presentation. If you are giving a diamond necklace to someone at Christmas, hang it from the Christmas tree. If you really want to surprise someone, hang it from their rearview mirror in their car. What an exciting thing to find when you jump in your car in the morning for work. Whatever you do, make your story exciting. You never know who will hear about it.
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