When thinking about diamonds most people don’t think of a rainbow of color, with every hue or shade possible, but actually diamonds come naturally in over three hundred possible colors. They range from “pumpkin” orange, to pale pink and “canary” yellow. In fact, some of the world’s most well-known and largest stones are not clear, glass-like examples of a diamond, but enormous colored gems.In the history of diamonds there are ten on record that weigh more than two hundred carats each. Some belong to royal families, governments and private individuals. Some have passed from public notoriety into complete secrecy, and some have even been used to do good deeds. They all come from different sources, and some have a great deal of mystery attached to their origins, but they are all remarkable for their size and notoriety.
The world’s largest known diamond belongs to the King of Thailand. It was presented to him in 1997 as a special gift on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary as the king. The “Golden Jubilee” diamond is five hundred and forty five carats in weight, but it was cut from a staggering seven hundred and fifty five carat stone. This brown colored diamond has an estimated value of over twelve million dollars.
Coming in at only fifteen carats smaller is the second largest known diamond - the “Star of Africa” also known as the “Cullinan I”. This colorless diamond is actually one of nine pieces originating from the Cullinan Diamond, a three thousand one hundred and six carat stone discovered in Africa in 1905. The entire stone was presented to King Edward VII of England in 1908, where it was cut into the nine pieces that are now part of the royal family’s jewel collection. The Star of Africa usually resides in the Royal Scepter, but it can also be worn as a pin or pendant.
Another brown diamond fills in the top five of the world’s largest diamonds; the “Incomparable” was discovered at some point in the 1980s. It is considered to be a “fancy brown-yellow” which means its clarity and color are of the highest quality. The stone, when found, was over eight hundred and ninety carats, but after four years of expert analysis and planning it was formally cut to a four hundred and seven carat, faceted stone. Interestingly, the diamond also has the claim of the highest priced gem to go up for public auction on the internet, where it failed to sell in 2002.
The fourth largest diamond is also the second largest piece of the famous Cullinan Diamond. The “Cullinan II” rests in the Imperial State Crown of Great Britain, where it has also been fitted out with clasps that allow it to be worn as a pin or pendant. Though a smaller “sibling” to the Star of Africa, the Cullinan II diamond still carries an impressive three hundred seventeen carats in weight. It too is continually housed with jewels and gems belonging to the British Royal Family.
The colored diamonds once again distinguish themselves in the top five of the world’s largest stones, this time with a black diamond known as the “Spirit of de Grisogono“. This diamond is also the world’s largest black diamond, a three hundred and twelve carat monster set into a remarkable white gold ring mounting. This diamond is in private ownership.
Over a year was spent cutting the sixth largest diamond in the world - the colorless or white “Centenary” diamond. Its initial weight was around six hundred carats, but by the time the cutting was completed the stone still weighed in at an impressive two hundred and seventy three carats. The stone was discovered in the late 1980s in Africa, and though the owner is unknown, at its last appraisal in 1991 it was insured for over one hundred million dollars.
A two hundred and forty five carat whopper is the seventh largest diamond on record. The “Jubilee” was intended for Queen Victoria on the occasion of her seventy-fifth year as Queen of England. Unfortunately, she never received the diamond because the stone’s owners realized the enormous value of the diamond when they examined it for cutting. The experience of cutting the stone however did introduce the “jubilee” style of cut into the world of diamonds.
A stone noted for its size, but whose whereabouts are currently unknown is the eighth largest diamond - the “DeBeers”. Originally a four hundred and twenty eight carat light yellow stone, it was reduced to two hundred and thirty four carats before being set into the famous Patiala Necklace in 1928.
Winding down the list of the world’s top ten largest diamonds is the two hundred and five carat “Red Cross”. Unique because of its size, canary yellow color, and the appearance of a “Maltese Cross” within the top facet, the stone was auctioned on behalf of the British Red Cross Society in 1918.
Finally, the tenth largest diamond on record is the “Millennium Star,” a completely flawless blue diamond that originates from a more than seven hundred carat stone. Months of analysis and planning were done before any cuts were made, and three large stones were the result. Though the diamond is not likely to enter the market, estimates place its worth at over one hundred million English pounds.
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