No single family owns all the diamonds, but historically the Oppenheimer family controlled the industry through their majority stake in De Beers, a company they sold most of to Anglo American in 2011, leaving Botswana as a 15% partner, while other major players like Russia's Alrosa and independent miners also control significant supply today.
An overview of De Beers Group
Anglo American owns 85% of De Beers Group, the world's leading diamond company. The remaining 15% is owned by the Government of the Republic of Botswana (GRB). De Beers Group and its partners produce around one third of the world's rough diamonds, by value.
Just what every diamond buyer deserves to know. De Beers was founded in 1888 and quickly grew into a global powerhouse. At its peak, the company controlled almost 90% of the world's rough diamond supply. It did this through a group called the Central Selling Organisation (CSO).
Russia is currently the world's leading producer of gem-quality diamonds by carat weight and has held this leading position for more than 10 years, producing around 32% of the world's total mined diamonds.
The legendary 69.42-carat Taylor-Burton diamond, famously owned by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, now belongs to the Mouawad family's private collection, having been acquired by Robert Mouawad in 1979 after Taylor sold it to fund a hospital in Botswana. The pear-shaped gem, originally cut from a larger stone by Harry Winston, was famously worn by Taylor and remains a significant piece in the Mouawad jewelry holdings.
Today, the largest finished diamond is owned by the Royal Family of Thailand. The Jonker diamond was named after, Johannes Jacobus Jonker and weighs 726 carats.
Known throughout the industry and across the globe as the “King of Diamonds,” Mr. Winston built his legacy as the purveyor of the world's most exceptional jewels. The story of the House of Harry Winston is best told through its incredible portfolio of diamonds, which continues today.
One of the main reasons for this concern is that diamond mines are not infinite resources – eventually, they will run out. As Gemological Institute of America research scientist Evan Smith says, “For every diamond you take out of the ground, there's one fewer to be found.”
African claim-holders were suspected of IDB (Illicit Diamond buying), because they spoke the same language and had similar backgrounds to many of the workers. This led to riots in 1875 in which whites attacked African or Asian claim-holders. The British authorities responded by cancelling all claims owned by blacks.
Almost every jeweler has a collection of broken diamonds they got from their clients in their years of business, but when most clients are asked how their diamonds broke, most don't know. Truth is, most people unintentionally put their diamonds through plenty of wear and tear through their daily movements.
Savji Dholakia, the owner of a ₹12,000 crore diamond empire, is not only a highly successful businessman but also a father who believes in teaching the value of hard work and humility.
All diamonds offered by Costco are natural and untreated.
Nicky Oppenheimer Net Worth: $8.4 billion Sector: Mining (Diamonds) Nicky Oppenheimer, a diamond magnate, made his fortune through the Oppenheimer family's 40 percent stake in De Beers, the world's largest diamond producer. His family sold its stake in 2012 for $5.1 billion.
From ancient times, India was the source of nearly all the world's known diamonds, and until diamonds were discovered in Brazil in 1726, India was the only place where diamonds were mined. India has not been a major diamond-producing country since the 1900s, but diamond mining continues.
The Aquamarine name comes from the Latin word for seawater and is said to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. It is sometimes referred to as a poor man's diamond because of the pale color.
1. Painite - Extremely Rare and Complex Stone. Painite is an exceptionally rare borate mineral renowned for its striking hues and scarcity. Discovered in Myanmar by British gemologist Arthur C.D.
As diamonds age from 100 years to 120 years old and we move further away from the 20th century, these old cuts will not only become more scarce but also more valuable. As an example, jewelry from the 17th century and older is extremely valuable and rare.
1. What Is The Most Expensive Diamond In The World? Ans: The Koh-I-Noor Is Considered The Most Valuable Diamond. Among Auctioned Diamonds, The Pink Star Holds The Record, Selling For $71.2 Million.
Kylie Jenner was seen wearing a breathtaking 28-carat diamond ring—estimated at roughly ₹22 crore (US$2.5 million). While its dazzling presence left no doubt about the extravagance, speculation remains whether the piece was owned or simply loaned.
For a $5,000 budget, you can typically get a natural diamond engagement ring with a center stone around 0.75 to 1.0 carat, possibly slightly larger (up to 1.2 ct) in elongated shapes like pear or oval, depending on cut, color, clarity, and the setting's cost, with lab-grown options allowing for much larger (3-4+ carat) stones or alternatives like moissanite offering bigger stones within budget.
“2025 has been a great year for large diamond finds!" said O'Neal. "So far, we have registered four diamonds weighing over two-carats.” As of this publication, 403 diamonds have been registered at Crater of Diamonds State Park this year.