What are Diamonds?
Diamonds are minerals made of almost pure crystallized carbon (99.95%). They are
formed millions of years earlier at depths greater than 75 miles below the earth's
surface. Here the necessary temperature and pressure are present to create this unique
gemstone. Over the years diamonds have been brought closer to the earth's surface by
volcanic eruptions where miners are able to collect them today.
The word diamond is derived from the Greek "adamas," which means unconquerable.
This is fitting because diamonds are the hardest known substance to man. In fact, the
majority of diamonds mined today are not sold to be manufactured into jewelry, but are
utilized in industrial tool parts for cutting because of the hardness of this gem.
Diamonds are minerals made of almost pure crystallized carbon (99.95%). They are
formed millions of years earlier at depths greater than 75 miles below the earth's
surface. Here the necessary temperature and pressure are present to create this unique
gemstone. Over the years diamonds have been brought closer to the earth's surface by
volcanic eruptions where miners are able to collect them today.
The word diamond is derived from the Greek "adamas," which means unconquerable.
This is fitting because diamonds are the hardest known substance to man. In fact, the
majority of diamonds mined today are not sold to be manufactured into jewelry, but are
utilized in industrial tool parts for cutting because of the hardness of this gem.
Additional Reference
Diamonds have always had an aura of
rarity and lore. Diamonds: Famous &
Fatal is an excellent reference for those
who are fascinated with the history of
diamonds and more specifically with
famous diamonds. Leo Kendall does an
excellent job discussing well-known and
obscure facts and stories about famous
diamonds which he incorporates into the
general history of the diamond.
Diamonds have always had an aura of
rarity and lore. Diamonds: Famous &
Fatal is an excellent reference for those
who are fascinated with the history of
diamonds and more specifically with
famous diamonds. Leo Kendall does an
excellent job discussing well-known and
obscure facts and stories about famous
diamonds which he incorporates into the
general history of the diamond.
Some Famous Diamonds
Kohinoor
Origin: India ~1304 AD
Weight: 108.93 carats
Current Location: England (Royal Crown)
www.royal.gov.uk
Historical Perspective: Kohinoor means "mountain
of light" and it was thought that whoever possessed
it would rule the world. It is regarded as one of the
most famous diamonds in history. The British
empire took possession of this gem in 1849 during
its conquest of India and it was presented to Queen
Victoria in 1850. Today is remains part of the Royal
Crown jewels, but not without controversy as to why
it has not been returned to India (The World's Most
Sought After Diamond).The stone is set in the
Maltese Cross at the front of the crown made for
Queen Elizabeth (the late Queen Mother).
Cullinan I (Greater Star of Africa)
Origin: South Africa 1905
Weight: 530.2 carats
Current Location: England (Royal Crown)
www.royal.gov.uk
Historical Perspective: Cullinan I, also referred to as
the Greater Star of Africa, is the second largest
known cut diamond in existence. It is actually part of
The Cullinan which was a massive 3,106 carats
(uncut) diamond discovered in the Premier Mine of
South Africa in 1905. This diamond was ultimately
cleaved into 9 large pieces of which the Cullinan I
and II are the largest. The stone is set in the Royal
Scepter and is part of the British Royal Jewelry
Collection
Cullinan II (Lesser Star of Africa)
Origin: South Africa 1905
Weight: 317.4 carats
Current Location: England (Royal Crown)
www.royal.gov.uk
Historical Perspective: Cullinan II, also referred to
as the Lesser Star of Africa, is the third largest
known cut diamond in existence. It is part of The
Cullinan which was a massive 3,106 carats (uncut)
diamond discovered in the Premier Mine of South
Africa in 1905. This diamond was ultimately cleaved
into 9 large pieces of which the Cullinan I and II are
the largest. The stone is set in Queen Elizabeth II's
Imperial State Crown of Great Britain
Centenary
Origin: South Africa 1986
Weight: 273.85 carats
Current Location: Unknown
Historical Perspective: The discovery of this original
gem was made in 1986 in the Premier Mine of
South Africa. Also, the discovery site of The
Cullinan. It was unveiled at the 100 year anniversary
gala of De Beers in 1988 after having been crafted
into its current cut appearance by Gabi Tolkowsky.
Regarded as one of the most accomplished
diamond cutters in the world, his family had long
been in the diamond trade. It was his great-uncle,
Marcel Tolkowsky, diamond expert and
mathematician, who authored the publication
Diamond Design in 1919 that is still today's basis
for round brilliant diamond cuts.
Blue Hope
Origin: India ~1668 AD
Weight: 45.52 carats
Current Location: Washington D.C. (Smithsonian)
Photo courtesy of the National Museum of Natural
History, Smithsonian Institution
Historical Perspective: Blue Hope Diamond is one
of the most notorious diamonds. It was once
owned by Louis XIV and was officially designated
"the blue diamond of the crown." It was stolen
during the French revolution and turned up in
London in 1830. Henry Philip Hope, after whom it is
currently named, bought the diamond. During
possession by the Hope family, it acquired its
reputation for bad luck. His family died in poverty. A
similar misfortune occurred to a later owner, Mr.
Edward McLean. The Hope was acquired from the
McLean estate by Harry Winston, Inc. and ultimately
donated to the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington.
Golden Jubilee
Origin: South Africa 1985
Weight: 545.67 carats
Current Location: Thailand
Historical Perspective: The Golden Jubilee is the
largest faceted diamond in the world and was
designed by Gabi Tolkowsky, who also designed
the Centenary Diamond(see above). It was
presented to the King of Thailand in 1997 for his
Golden Jubilee - the 50th anniversary of his
coronation. Prior to this, the stone was simply
known as the Unnamed Brown and does not get the
publicity because of it is a fancy (colored)
yellow-brown diamond, but nonetheless it is the
largest known cut diamond.
Kohinoor
Origin: India ~1304 AD
Weight: 108.93 carats
Current Location: England (Royal Crown)
www.royal.gov.uk
Historical Perspective: Kohinoor means "mountain
of light" and it was thought that whoever possessed
it would rule the world. It is regarded as one of the
most famous diamonds in history. The British
empire took possession of this gem in 1849 during
its conquest of India and it was presented to Queen
Victoria in 1850. Today is remains part of the Royal
Crown jewels, but not without controversy as to why
it has not been returned to India (The World's Most
Sought After Diamond).The stone is set in the
Maltese Cross at the front of the crown made for
Queen Elizabeth (the late Queen Mother).
Cullinan I (Greater Star of Africa)
Origin: South Africa 1905
Weight: 530.2 carats
Current Location: England (Royal Crown)
www.royal.gov.uk
Historical Perspective: Cullinan I, also referred to as
the Greater Star of Africa, is the second largest
known cut diamond in existence. It is actually part of
The Cullinan which was a massive 3,106 carats
(uncut) diamond discovered in the Premier Mine of
South Africa in 1905. This diamond was ultimately
cleaved into 9 large pieces of which the Cullinan I
and II are the largest. The stone is set in the Royal
Scepter and is part of the British Royal Jewelry
Collection
Cullinan II (Lesser Star of Africa)
Origin: South Africa 1905
Weight: 317.4 carats
Current Location: England (Royal Crown)
www.royal.gov.uk
Historical Perspective: Cullinan II, also referred to
as the Lesser Star of Africa, is the third largest
known cut diamond in existence. It is part of The
Cullinan which was a massive 3,106 carats (uncut)
diamond discovered in the Premier Mine of South
Africa in 1905. This diamond was ultimately cleaved
into 9 large pieces of which the Cullinan I and II are
the largest. The stone is set in Queen Elizabeth II's
Imperial State Crown of Great Britain
Centenary
Origin: South Africa 1986
Weight: 273.85 carats
Current Location: Unknown
Historical Perspective: The discovery of this original
gem was made in 1986 in the Premier Mine of
South Africa. Also, the discovery site of The
Cullinan. It was unveiled at the 100 year anniversary
gala of De Beers in 1988 after having been crafted
into its current cut appearance by Gabi Tolkowsky.
Regarded as one of the most accomplished
diamond cutters in the world, his family had long
been in the diamond trade. It was his great-uncle,
Marcel Tolkowsky, diamond expert and
mathematician, who authored the publication
Diamond Design in 1919 that is still today's basis
for round brilliant diamond cuts.
Blue Hope
Origin: India ~1668 AD
Weight: 45.52 carats
Current Location: Washington D.C. (Smithsonian)
Photo courtesy of the National Museum of Natural
History, Smithsonian Institution
Historical Perspective: Blue Hope Diamond is one
of the most notorious diamonds. It was once
owned by Louis XIV and was officially designated
"the blue diamond of the crown." It was stolen
during the French revolution and turned up in
London in 1830. Henry Philip Hope, after whom it is
currently named, bought the diamond. During
possession by the Hope family, it acquired its
reputation for bad luck. His family died in poverty. A
similar misfortune occurred to a later owner, Mr.
Edward McLean. The Hope was acquired from the
McLean estate by Harry Winston, Inc. and ultimately
donated to the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington.
Golden Jubilee
Origin: South Africa 1985
Weight: 545.67 carats
Current Location: Thailand
Historical Perspective: The Golden Jubilee is the
largest faceted diamond in the world and was
designed by Gabi Tolkowsky, who also designed
the Centenary Diamond(see above). It was
presented to the King of Thailand in 1997 for his
Golden Jubilee - the 50th anniversary of his
coronation. Prior to this, the stone was simply
known as the Unnamed Brown and does not get the
publicity because of it is a fancy (colored)
yellow-brown diamond, but nonetheless it is the
largest known cut diamond.
© 2008-2010
www.DiamondEducation.Net
All Rights Reserved
www.DiamondEducation.Net
All Rights Reserved
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Diamond Buying Guide
Diamond
History
History