The most famous diamonds in history

The diamond, jewel among jewels, has always been one of the most valuable, cherished, and admired precious stones for centuries upon centuries. However, there are some diamonds with a story that goes beyond legend: they have an immeasurable worth and a unique history that makes them one of a kind and very famous. Let’s discover together some of the most famous diamonds in history!

Koh-i-Noor

The Koh-i-Noor, a grand name meaning 'mountain of light', is part of the treasure of the Queen of England. Oval in shape, this enormous precious stone weighs 108 carats. The diamond is said to have the power to bring luck and happiness to those who wear or own it. Destined to make its owner rule over the whole world, it has been known since 1304, when its owner was the Moghul dynasty, descendants of Genghis Khan. The precious jewel came into the hands of Queen Victoria in 1849, during the British Empire’s conquest of the Indian region of Punjab. The Koh-i-Noor became, in the Victorian era, a symbol of English conquering power. Today, it is instead only a symbol of the colonial plunder suffered by India. It is currently kept in the Tower of London, set at the center of the imperial crown.

Cullinan

Legend has it that this diamond, also called the Star of Africa, was found in March 1869 by a Griqua shepherd and was sold to a Boer in exchange for a horse, ten oxen, and five hundred sheep. The name of this diamond, however, comes from the owner of the Cullinan mine, to whom it was entrusted in the early 1900s. Its fame is linked to the weight of over 3106 carats of the rough stone, which then produced about 105 diamonds, some of which are today set in the British Crown, during the reign of Edward VII.

Sancy

55 carats for a diamond found and cut in the shape of a shield in Golconda, India. The Sancy arrived in Europe in the 1500s, coming into the possession of the kings of France until the French Revolution. After that, it was thought lost until 1828, when it was sold to the Russian prince Paul I Demidoff. In 1906 it was bought by William Waldorf Astor, viscount, with whom it remained until 1978, when it was sold to the Louvre for one million dollars. A story of travels that has made this beautiful diamond truly priceless. It is currently kept in the Apollo gallery at the Louvre.

Fiorentino

A constant alternation of legends and documented facts characterizes the history of the Fiorentino. It is said to be a gem of Indian origin, cut in a double rose shape and weighing 137.27 carats. The stone is also called Tuscan or Austrian Yellow, due to its pale yellow color. According to some myths, the diamond was cut for Charles the Bold, last Duke of Burgundy, who was said to have been killed at the Battle of Morat while wearing it. Later sold by a villager for a few florins, after some commercial ownership changes it came into the hands of the Fugger bankers and, later, the Medici. The gem was then inherited by Maria Theresa of Austria, becoming part of the royal jewels of Vienna. After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the Fiorentino was stolen and, according to some legends, cut into the diamond now known as the Tiffany Yellow and worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Hope

Although its name evokes the positive concept of hope, this 45.52-carat diamond has the sad reputation of bringing bad luck to those who wear it. The Hope family, from whom it takes its name, was the first to own it and died in poverty and misfortune, as did the following owners, among whom stand out Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. It is now housed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. The diamond is unusually blue in color and its story begins in India, where it was stolen from the stones of a temple. The gem, also called the Blue of France, was taken from the eyes of the idol Rama-sita, probably by the jeweler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. Those who believe in the power of curses claim that it was Rama-Sita who poured his wrath into the jewel, making it a true bearer of bad luck. Legends, myths, and reality intertwine in the history of these precious stones of immeasurable value. Beautiful, yet so powerful as to be remembered through the centuries. Which legend fascinated you the most? See you here very soon, with many more curiosities! Olga