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The top 10 largest diamonds in the world (cut & polished, not rough)
Many customers ask me what the the largest diamond I have ever sold at RING jewellers is. Well, in short the answer is.....nowhere near as big as these beauties!
When diamonds are mined it is a bit of a myth that a beautiful glistening gem catches the light & the miner reaches for his pic axe. When you see a rough diamond it actually looks like something that you may see washed on on the beach. This means that although there are some monster rough diamonds out there it is incredibly rare for a cut & polished natural diamond to still have a large carat weight.
1. The Golden Jubilee
Weight - 545.67ct
Similar weight to - A tangerine
Mined in - South Africa
History - Discovered in 1985 this fancy, yellow brown diamond was cut & polished in a specially designed underground room. This was to avoid vibrations that could cause the included diamond to fracture. The Golden Jubilee is estimated to be worth over £9,000,000 (£9 million).
The Golden Jubilee (545.67 carats).
2. The Cullinan I (AKA The Star of Africa)
Weight - 530.20ct
Similar weight to - An apple
Mined in - South Africa
History - Discovered in 1905 the Cullinan I is the largest of 9 diamonds cut from the original 3106.75ct rough diamond. The Cullinan I also forms part of the Crown Jewels. It is set into the 'Sovereign's Royal Sceptre'. This pear shape diamond is estimated to be worth over £300,000,000 (£300 million).
The Cullinan I (530.20 carats).
3. The incomparable
Weight - 407.48ct
Similar weight to - A deck of cards
Mined in - The Deocratic Republic of the Congo
History - Discovered in 1984 by a child playing in the debris of a nearby diamond mine. This stone is a natural, fancy yellow diamond. The value of the incomparable is estimated to be over £15,000,000 (£15 million).
The Incomparable (407.48 carats).
4. The Cullinan II
Weight - 317.40ct
Similar weight to - A kiwi fruit
Mined in - South Africa
History - Discovered in 1905 this stone was part of the heaviest gem quality diamond ever mined. It's rough, unpolished weight was a staggering 3106.75ct. The Cullinan II was the second heaviest diamond polished from the rough & forms part of the Crown Jewels. It is set into the 'Imperial State Crown'. The Cullinan II is displayed at The Tower Of London. The estimated value of this diamond is over £150,000,000 (£300 million).
The Cullinan II (317.40 carats).
5. The Cullinan II
Weight - 317.40ct
Similar weight to - A kiwi fruit
Mined in - South Africa
History - Discovered in 1905 this stone was part of the heaviest gem quality diamond ever mined. It's rough, unpolished weight was a staggering 3106.75ct. The Cullinan II was the second heaviest diamond polished from the rough & forms part of the Crown Jewels. It is set into the 'Imperial State Crown'. The Cullinan II is displayed at The Tower Of London. The estimated value of this diamond is over £150,000,000 (£300 million).
The Spirit of de Grisogono (312.24 carats).
6. The Centenary
Weight - 273.85ct
Similar weight to - A tennis ball
Mined in - South Africa
History - Discovered in 1986. Although the current owner in unknown we do know that this diamond was insured for £100,000,000 (£100 million) in 1991.
The Centenary (273.85 carats).
7. The Jubilee
Weight - 245.35ct
Similar weight to - A chickens egg
Mined in - South Africa
History - Discovered in 1895 this diamond was originally known as the Reitz diamond, named after the South African president.
The Jubilee (245.35 carats).
8. The De Beers
Weight - 234.65
Similar weight to - A golf ball
Mined in - South Africa
History - Discovered in 1888 & was the largest diamond ever unearthed at the De Beers mine.
The De Beers (234.65 carats).
9. The Red Cross
Weight - 205.07
Similar weight to - A squash ball
Mined in - South Africa
History - Discovered in 1901. The natural, fancy yellow colour of this diamond makes it incredibly rare indeed. This is not to be confused with the yellowish hue of a low grade white diamond. Fancy yellow diamonds are very rare & sought after.
The Red Cross (205.07 carats)
10. The Millenium Star
Weight - 203.04ct
Similar weight to - Five 50p coins
Mined in - Democratic Republic of the Congo
History - Discovered in 1990 & was purchased by De Beers. This diamond took 3 years to cut & polish.
The Millennium Star (203.04 carats).
(From: www.ringjewellery.co.uk)