Some of the most celebrated diamonds include:
The Cullinan: Found in South Africa in 1905, it was the world’s largest gem-quality diamond, weighing 3,105 carats uncut.
The Tiffany: Discovered in the Kimberley Mine around 1877, this 287.42-carat diamond was turned into a 128.54-carat yellow cushion cut with 90 facets.
The Golden Jubilee: Unearthed at the Cullinan mine in South Africa in1985, this 755.5 carat fancy yellow-brown diamond is now the largest cut diamond in the world, weighing 545.07 carats.
The Jonker Diamond: At the time of its discovery in 1934, this 725 carat diamond was the fourth largest gem-quality diamond ever found. In 1977, it was sold for a reported $2,259,400.
The Koh-i-Noor: Meaning the “Mountain of Light” in Persian, is a 105.6 carat diamond, and once the largest known diamond. The Koh-i Noor is believed by some to have originated in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India together with its double, the Darya-ye Noor (the “Sea of Light”). The diamond has belonged to various Hindu, Iranian, Afghan, Sikh and British rulers who fought bitterly over it, consequently taking it as a spoil of war. Recently the British East India Company took possession from Duleep Singh in 1850 and presented to Queen Victoria it became part of the British Crown Jewels when she was proclaimed Empress of India in 1877. It was set in the crown of the consort of the reigning monarch, was worn by Queen Alexandra, later by Queen Mary and most recently by Queen Elizabeth the mother of the present Queen and is on display at the Tower of London
Whatever the size or quality, a diamond is a symbol of love, an expression of one’s inner emotions in every language, a gift for any occasion, and an item of international value to be treasured and passed on from generation to generation.
By Moti Israeli
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