Diamonds are a girl’s best friend but some are more valuable than others! Collectors covet the diamonds that are rare or pure. For most of us, we can only dream of owning one of these world famous diamonds. Diamonds are judged for their quality on four main criteria, color, clarity, carat weight, and cut.
The Cullinan Diamond was the largest, rough diamond of gem quality found in the world at 3106.75 carats and was cut into 105 diamonds. These include the Cullinan 1 (Great Star of Africa), and the Cullinan II (Lesser Star of Africa). Both these diamonds are a part of the British Crown Jewels.
Sometimes, a diamond achieves fame because of its attachment to a celebrity. The Taylor-Burton Diamond, as it became known, was a gift from Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor on the occasion of Elizabeth’s 40th Birthday in 1972. The 68-carat, colorless diamond from South Africa was one of the most photographed diamonds in the world and was the first one to have a value of a million dollars at a public auction. Elizabeth Taylor decided that the ring was too big, so Cartier was commissioned to reset it in a necklace.
Another diamond to attract publicity is the Hope Diamond, a beautiful 45.52-carat, deep blue diamond that originated in India. Its setting is a necklace and it is one of the major attractions at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington DC, where it is displayed behind bulletproof glass in a separate exhibition room.
The most valuable diamond in the world is the Mouawad Lilac, so called because it is owned by private collector, Robert Mouawad. The emerald-cut, pink diamond is 24.44 carat and is valued at $20,000,000. Mr. Mouawad is also the owner of several other valuable diamonds and he has the Taylor-Burton Diamond in his collection.
Shoppers at Tiffany’s store in New York City are fortunate in being able to see the Tiffany Yellow Diamond on display. The diamond is one of the largest yellow diamonds in history and was discovered in South Africa. Jeweler Charles Tiffany bought the diamond, which has only been worn by two women. Mrs. Sheldon Whitehouse, wife of a US politician, wore it to a ball in 1957 and actress, Audrey Hepburn wore it for publicity photographs, promoting her starring role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
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The celebrities on the red carpet at the Oscars sparkle with their diamond jewelry, (although some of it will be rented for the night!). The diamond engagement rings of the rich and famous also get a lot of attention. We mere mortals may not be able to afford the real thing but there is a growing market in replica rings, such as the replica for the pink diamond engagement ring given to Jennifer Lopez by Ben Affleck. This is a less expensive way of purchasing jewelry and less of an insurance headache!
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