Famous Diamonds - Worlds Largest Diamond - Guide to Buying Diamonds
Diamond Carats - Diamond Clarity Rating -  Diamond Color Rating

On January 25, 1905 at the Premier Mine in Pretoria, South Africa, a 3,106-carat diamond is discovered during a routine inspection by the mine's superintendent. Weighing 1.33 pounds and christened "Cullinan" it was the largest diamond ever found

 
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Round solitaire 1.5 carat diamond ring
with floral diamonds set in platinum  

Frederick Wells was 18 feet below the earth's surface when he spotted a flash of starlight embedded in the wall just above him. His discovery was presented that same afternoon to Sir Thomas Cullinan, who owned the mine. Cullinan then sold the diamond to the Transvaal government which presented the stone to Britain's King Edward VII as a birthday gift.

Worried that the diamond might be stolen in transit from Africa to London, Edward arranged to send a phony diamond aboard a steamer ship loaded with detectives as a diversionary tactic. While the decoy made its way from Africa on the ship, the Cullinan was sent to England in a plain box

Paris Hilton  was engaged to billionaire Paris Latsis with two famous rings: a canary diamond ring of 24 carats for 5 million and a white emerald-cut diamond ring of 15 carats worth 2.1 million

The Cullinan was later cut into nine large stones and about 100 smaller ones, valued at millions of dollars all told. The largest stone is called the "Star of Africa I," or "Cullinan I," and at 530 carats, it is the largest-cut fine-quality colorless diamond in the world. The second largest stone, the "Star of Africa II" or "Cullinan II," is 317 carats.

Both of these stones, as well as the "Cullinan III," are on display in the Tower of London with Britain's other crown jewels; the Cullinan I is mounted in the British Sovereign's Royal Scepter, while the Cullinan II sits in the Imperial State Crown.

Jennifer Lopez pink diamond engagement ring from Ben Affleck  quickly  became very famous. The 6 carat pink diamond ring with three baguette white diamonds and a platinum band  was purchased for $1.2 million

Guide to Buying Diamonds

What to look for when buying a diamond? The rules of thumb when buying diamonds are the 3Cs

Carat (size in weight)

Clarity (any faults or blemishes)

Color (the whiter the better)
refer to guide picture at right

Elizabeth Taylor

Well known for her large jewellery collection, including the 33.19 carat Krupp diamond and the 69.42-carat pear shaped Taylor-Burton Diamond which now hangs from a diamond necklace after she decided it was just a little too large for a ring.

Richard Burton also gave her a heart-shaped yellow diamond which was originally a gift from Shah Jahan in 1621 to his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who also inspired the Taj Mahal.

Although Liz is usually associated with huge diamonds, she also has a fabulous collection of gemstones.

Jackie Kennedy-Onassis

Jackie favoured large, colourful necklaces and bracelets from Van Cleef & Arpel. Her jewelry collection grew once she married Aristotle Onassis: he gave his bride $5 million in jewelry. Often slipped bracelets from Harry Winston in the bouquets of flowers.

Jackie's engagement ring from Onassis sold for $2.6 million at the auction of the Estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis at Sotheby's on April 24, 1996.

Her 17.68-carat ruby ring sold for $290,000. Ruby earrings sold for $360,000 A cabochon ruby necklace sold for $247,500