Three World Famous Diamonds

Loose diamonds have always sparked wonder and have often brought about deceit and intrigue. Diamonds On Web brings you the story behind three world-famous diamonds.

Perhaps the oldest most well-known loose diamond was the Koh-I-Noor, which originated in India and was once the world's largest known diamond. The Koh-I-Noor, whose name means "mountain of light", belonged to various Indian and Persian rulers who fought over the diamond over the centuries. Subject to many legends and stories, the origin of the Koh-I-Noor is uncertain; the diamond is even said to be mentioned in ancient Sanskrit writings. The diamond passed through many hands until it reached the Emperor Shah Jahan (builder of the Tag Mahal), in the 18th century; he allegedly placed the stone in his peacock throne. From there, through wars and conflicts, the diamond traveled to Afghanistan and then back to the Punjab region. In 1849, with the British colonization of India, as part of the legal agreement formalizing the occupation, the diamond was seized by the British and declared part of the British Crown Jewels. The diamond was recut in the 19th century, and despite several claims to the Koh-I-Noor made by various countries (Pakistan, India and Afghanistan), the diamond remains in the Tower of London. Legend has it that the Koh-I-Noor brings good luck to its female owners and misfortune or death to a male who wears or owns it.

The Cullinan diamond, found in the 20th century in South Africa is the largest diamond ever discovered. In its rough state, the Cullinan diamond weighed 3,106.75 carats. Cullinan I, or the Great Star of Africa was one of the 105 gems cut from the Cullinan diamond, and at 530 carats it was once the world's largest cut diamond. It currently resides in the Tower of London. In the summer of 2007, reports surfaced of a diamond twice as big as the Cullinan that was found in South Africa (http://www.guardian.co.uk/southafrica/story/0,,2157446,00.html)

Of all the legendary loose diamonds, the Hope Diamond is perhaps the most famous. The large (45.52 carat) strikingly blue diamond is legendary for the supposed curse it puts on it owners. Originally found in India and brought to France in the 18th century, the Hope Diamond is the largest deep blue diamond in the world. Its previous owners include Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. The Blue Hope disappeared during the time of the French Revolution, and later resurfaced 1830 in London, when it was purchased by an English banker, Henry Philip Hope. The diamond came to be considered bad luck because all of the Hope family died in poverty, as did Edward McLean, who subsequently owned it. In 1949 Harry Winston purchased the McLean jewelry collection and later donated The Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C, where it is currently on display.


Wikipedia - List Of Famous Diamonds

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