The most famous diamond is arguably the Hope Diamond, known for its deep blue color, large size (45.52 carats), mysterious origins in India, association with French royalty, tales of a curse, and current display at the Smithsonian; however, the Cullinan Diamond (the largest gem-quality diamond ever found, with its pieces forming part of the British Crown Jewels) and the Koh-i-Noor (meaning "Mountain of Light," with a storied history across Indian and British royalty) are also incredibly famous contenders.
The World's Most Famous Diamonds
Mrs. McLean's heirs sold it to Harry Winston, who in turn donated it to the Smithsonian Institution. Today the Hope Diamond is in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian in the National Museum of Natural History, where millions of people visit it each year.
The 69-carat Taylor-Burton Diamond, famously owned by Elizabeth Taylor, is now part of the private collection of Lebanese jeweler Robert Mouawad, who purchased it in 1979 after Taylor sold it to fund a hospital in Botswana. Mouawad had the famous pear-shaped gem recut, reducing its weight to around 68 carats, and it remains in his family's extensive collection of rare jewels.
The Black Orlov, also known as the Eye of Brahma, legend has it that the striking 67.49-carat black diamond (originally 195 carats) was stolen from a statue of the Hindu god Brahma during the early 19th century by a monk…
Kohinoor is now part of the British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth. It is currently on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London, seen by millions of visitors each day. Kohinoor Diamond was ceded to Queen Victoria after the annexation of Punjab by the British in 1849.
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.
Meghan Markle's jewelry collection includes several heirloom pieces from the late Princess of Wales. The Duchess of Sussex wore Diana's iconic "divorce ring" to her 2018 wedding reception, for example. She has since stepped out in earrings, bracelets, and necklaces that once belonged to her late mother-in-law.
Taylor Swift's engagement ring features an old mine cut diamond, a bezel setting, and an 18K yellow gold band, according to expert analysis. It's estimated to be between 8 and 10 carats, with experts pricing the stone between half a million and one million dollars.
The Curse of The Hope Diamond
Over its 350-year history, the Hope Diamond has become one of the most famous cursed diamonds. After being stolen and recut, it is said to have contributed to the downfall and death of its owners. Discovered in India in 1673, it was originally a 115-carat blue diamond.
The blue diamond featured in the film was actually cubic zirconia. Titanic production designer Peter Lamont commissioned British luxury jewelers Asprey & Garrard to craft multiple iterations of the prop. He told People that the cost of a natural stone of that size, “would have been prohibitive, despite our budget.”
The Hope Diamond is renowned for its rare color and rich history. Learn more about this remarkable stone at the Smithsonian's Hope Diamond website.
In 1947, "Cosmopolitan" magazine bestowed Harry Winston with a moniker that would follow him throughout his career: "King of Diamonds." An innate gemologist with an intuitive mastery of his trade, Mr.
Since its discovery in India in 1642, the infamous diamond was stolen at least twice in its long history and has changed hands several times, leaving a trail of unfortunate fate and supposedly bad luck for almost every owner.
Lost 'Florentine Diamond' Resurfaces in Canada After 100 Years Out of Sight. The jewelry world is abuzz with the dramatic announcement that the legendary "Florentine Diamond" has finally emerged from obscurity after nearly a century of mystery.
She loved wearing brands, which included Chanel. However, the then Princess of Wales stopped wearing Chanel following her divorce. Apparently, the label's logo, the double interlocking C's, reminded her of the betrayal she had by Prince Charles because of his then-affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.
Meghan Markle revealed she experienced postpartum preeclampsia, a rare and serious medical condition involving high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine after childbirth, which she described as a "huge medical scare". She shared this personal health battle on her podcast, highlighting the challenges of managing a life-threatening condition while navigating new motherhood privately, an experience she shares with Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd.
As Maxwell Stone told Express, Camilla has worn and redesigned several pieces over the years that were “once loved by Princess Diana,” causing “quite a lot of controversy” by doing so.
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.
As one of the most famous diamonds in the world, the Pink Star continues to be a symbol of opulence and rarity. Its current owners, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, have yet to announce any plans to resell the diamond However, it remains a prized asset in their impressive collection of high-value gemstones.
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.
As of 2024, De Beers owns and operates, solely or jointly, five diamond mines in Botswana. A long dispute has existed between the interests of De Beers and the San (Bushman) tribe.
The 69-carat Taylor-Burton Diamond, famously owned by Elizabeth Taylor, is now part of the private collection of Lebanese jeweler Robert Mouawad, who purchased it in 1979 after Taylor sold it to fund a hospital in Botswana. Mouawad had the famous pear-shaped gem recut, reducing its weight to around 68 carats, and it remains in his family's extensive collection of rare jewels.
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.”