What is the size of the biggest diamond of the world? Which diamond jewelry is the most famous? Why does a diamond called ’notorious’? And how long diamond itself exist? From the next article everything will be cleared up.

The first diamond

The first written memory of the diamond dates from B.c. 4000, from India. People considered magical power to the stone, that’s why it was often used as a talisman. So did the Romans, who kept count of diamonds and diamond jewelries as precious treasures. People have only realized in the 13th century that the precious stone can be polished, so the diamond can become the gem of amazing jewelries.

Diamond of the Sun-God

According to an ancient Indian legend, 5000 years ago the Sun-god has already worn the most famous diamond jewelry, the Koh-i-Noor. Much later the Persian Shah Nadir has invaded Delhi and intended to take the Koh-i-Noor, as at that time people believed that the one who has the diamond, has the power. Later it was owned by the East-Indian Company, this is how it has arrived to England. In 1852 Queen Victoria has made it polish to a 106 carat brill. Today Koh-i-Noor can be found among the jewels of the monarchy in the caste of Windsor.

The largest diamond of the world

The largest gem-quality rough diamond of the world is Cullinan, found in a South African mine in 1905 by Thomas Evan Powell. Its net weight is 621,1 grams (3 106 carats). The enormous diamond was purchased by the government of Transvaal for 150 000 pounds. They have given it as a present to the birthday of King Edward VII. on the 9th of November, 1907. In 1908 it was cut into pieces and 4 larger and 5 smaller brill was made of it. The loss during the polishing was more than 66%. King George V. has renamed Cullinan I to the Star of Africa. With its weight of 106,04 grams (530 carats), it is the largest polished diamond in the world, decorating the top of the English king’s scepter.

The most notorious diamond

The most notorious diamond is called Hope. Its history counts from 1668, when a french merchant and adventurer has arrived home with 25 huge diamonds from his last trip and the largest diamond of all, the hyacinth colored Hope was sold to King Louis XIV. The Sun King has made it polished to heart cut, not so much later afterwards his grandson has died – that was associated with the stone, just like the King’s death itself. The French merchant has also died soon.

The latter owner of Hope was Marie Antoinette has been beheaded. In 1900 a banker has bought the arrant diamond for 18 000 pounds, not much later he was poisoned. In the same year, Sultan Abdul II. has bought it to his wife, who was soon caught by murderous robbers, the sultan was knocked out from his throne and he has died in outlawry.

In these days Hope can be visited in a Washington museum.  

Regent or Pitt Diamond

A legendary tale about the origin of the diamond tells the story of a gemstone, found by a slave in 1701. He has offered the diamond to an English sailor, in return for his release. But the sailor did not keep his word; he murdered the slave, and sold the diamond to a merchant in Bombay for £ 5,000. However, he could not get over what he has done, so after he had spent all the money, he hung himself up.

Though this part of the diamond's history has never been confirmed, the gemstone's further story is certain: the Regent diamond was sold for £ 100,000 to the Governor of Madras, Thomas Pitt, in 1702 - hence a name. The governor polished a brilliant cut from the diamond in England, with a weight of 140.5 ct. The few smaller pieces, sprang during production, fell into the hands of Peter the Great Czar.

The diamond arrived to France after 1717, where Philip II, the Regent of Orleans put his hand on the diamond and renamed it after himself. Later, during the reign of Louis XV, it decorated the royal crown. During the French Revolution, the Regent diamond was stolen and later found thanks to an anonymous letter. It was then pledged by Gen Bonaparte Napoleon to alleviate his financial problems, but after he was crowned for Emperor, the gem has appeared on the handle of his sword.

In 1887, the Regent diamond has become the part of the Louvre Museum’s collection, was replaced in the Second World War during its German invasion to another place, but has returned back to its place in the Louvre.

Regent diamond is the last piece of large stones found in India, an incredibly clean and carefully crafted gemstone.

The Wittelsbach Graff diamond

The diamond became world famous uner the name Blue Wittelsbach, which was a marriage dowry from the Habsburgs to the Bavarian ruler of the Wittelsbach House in 1722. The blue gem has perfect clarity, at that time it was 35.56 ct. The diamond was part of the Bavarian royal jewelry and decorated the crown until 1918.

In 1958, the audience could admire the odd diamond at the World Expo in Brussels, then it was sold in 1964, and the gemstone has disappeared from the public for a while.

In 2008, the Blue Wittelsbach diamond has turned up at an auction of Christie's, found a new owner for £ 16.4 million, Lawrence Graff English jeweller, who made the diamond regrinded in 2009, so its weight decreased to 31.06 ct. The gem got its new name: Wittelsbach Graff diamond.