The world of diamonds and fine jewelry glitters with luxury and allure. Some creations feature stones of such exceptional size, color or clarity that they captivate global attention and imagination. Other designs showcase intricate craftsmanship and innovative beauty never seen before.
In this post, we will explore 8 phenomenal diamonds and luxury jewelry pieces with fascinating stories behind them. Whether you appreciate collectible gems, admire artistic mastery or simply indulge in ogling exquisite sparkle, these treasures dazzle and delight!
1. The Hope Diamond
- Size: 45.52 carats
- Color: Deep blue with a violet tint
- Cut: Antique cushion cut
- Origin: Likely India, mined 17th century
- Famous owners: French royalty, Henry Philip Hope, Evalyn Walsh McLean, Harry Winston, Smithsonian Institution
- Legend: Cursed, associated with misfortune and tragedy
- Current location: Smithsonian Institution National Gem Collection
- Estimated value: Over $200 million
- Unique features: Deep color, internal flaws (enhancing its brilliance), rich historical intrigue
Perhaps the most legendary diamond in the world, the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond mesmerizes with its rare deep blue hue and turbulent history. Legends swirl around several owners meeting grim fates, sparking talk of the diamond bearing an ancient curse.
Discovered around 1600 in India, the Hope Diamond changed various royal hands over centuries. In the 1830’s, notorious diamond dealer Jean-Baptiste Tavernier sold it to France’s King Louis XIV. According to accounts, Tavernier stole the gem from a Hindu temple statue, incurring the curse through sacrilege.
The blue diamond then vanished during the French Revolution’s chaos before mysteriously resurfacing in 1812. New owner Henry Philip Hope lent his name to the infamous stone. But did its misfortune continue? After trading through several collectors, jeweler Pierre Cartier finally sold the Hope Diamond to American Evalyn Walsh McLean.
McLean wore it publicly, unconcerned by any curse and bringing the gem renewed fame. However, her son died at age nine, her daughter died of a drug overdose at 25 and her husband left bankrupt. She too died near destitution. Did the beautiful but beguiling Hope Diamond once again wreck lives?
The Smithsonian eventually acquired the Hope Diamond, where it dazzles and mystifies visitors today. With an estimated value exceeding $200 million, its brilliance endures like the legendary curse!
2. The Cullinan Diamond
- Size: Rough: 3,106 carats (largest ever found), Cut: 9 large stones & 96 smaller ones
- Color: White
- Origin: South Africa, mined 1905
- History: Gifted to King Edward VII, expertly cut into various jewels
- Location: Cullinan I: Sovereign’s Sceptre, Cullinan II: Imperial State Crown, others in British Crown Jewels & private collections
- Uniqueness: Largest clear-cut diamond, symbol of British royalty, intricate cutting process
- Value: Cullinan I estimated at $400 million, total value incalculable
- Legacy: Enduring symbol of wealth, power, and masterful gemstone craftsmanship
At an enormous 3,100 carats, the uncut Cullinan diamond rates as the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found. Discovered in a South Africa mine in 1905, the massive Cullinan dazzled with exceptional clarity. The Transvaal government bought and gifted it to Britain’s King Edward VII on his 66th birthday for good fortunes.
With several potential incredible diamonds latent within, Amsterdam diamond cutters the Asscher Brothers dedicated over three months assessing optimal angles for cleaving. They finally split Cullinan into nine large stones and 96 small brilliants. The two biggest gems became part of Britain’s Crown Jewels as centerpieces of royal scepters.
Known as the Cullinan I or Great Star of Africa at 530 carats, it still reigns as earth’s largest cut diamond. The magnificent Cullinan II or Lesser Star of Africa weighs 317 carats in its current heart brilliant cut. Together, the Cullinan sisters live on in Tower of London regalia, valued at over $400 million today!
3. The Lesotho Promise Diamond
- Unearthed: Lesotho, Africa, 2006
- Size: 603 carats (rough), 15th largest ever discovered
- Uniqueness: Philanthropic approach instead of maximizing immediate profit
- Empowerment: Cutting and polishing done by Lesotho nationals, creating skilled jobs and local economic opportunities
- Legacy: A symbol of responsible resource management and community development
Unearthed in Lesotho, Africa in 2006, the original 603 carat Lesotho Promise holds the distinction as the 15th largest rough diamond ever discovered. While extremely lucrative to sell whole, the Promise’s owners took a philanthropic path instead. They permitted Lesotho nationals to handle all cutting and polishing jobs themselves.
By developing diamond processing infrastructure and skills locally, the tiny African kingdom reaped more benefits long-term through jobs and industry knowledge gains. The finished gems also sold under the Lesotho Promise brand, funding new schools, clinics and infrastructure investments. What originated as one exceptional stone advanced entire communities!
The Lesotho Promise campaign continues today, with several large mines committing profits to development projects. As for the flagship namesake diamond itself, valued over $12 million, ownership shifted between Swiss and Qatari buyers. Graded “rare fancy vivid pink,” it delights connoisseurs with outstanding color and conscience alike!
4. The Pink Star Diamond
- Carat weight: 59.60 carats
- Cut: Oval mixed-cut
- Color: Fancy Vivid Pink, the purest pink diamond ever graded by GIA
- Rarity: Largest vivid pink diamond ever auctioned
- Uniqueness: Exceptional beauty and unmatched size in its color category
- History: Mined in Africa in 1999, meticulously crafted, and sold at auction in 2017 for a record-breaking $71.2 million
- Legacy: A captivating jewel symbolizing rarity, exquisite color, and record-breaking value
Vivid pink diamonds captivate collectors with their exceptional rarity and beauty. The Pink Star, an oval mixed-cut 59.60 carat gem, stands apart as both the purest pink diamond ever graded and the largest vivid pink specimen ever auctioned.
Mined by DeBeers in 1999, the 132.5 uncut Pink Star originally weighed in as a massive 190 carat rough. Careful signature cutting by Steinmetz Diamonds over two years unveiled the Pink Star’s full dazzling potential. Ink blue fluorescence accentuates its extraordinary vivid pink hue, distinguishing it among the elite less than 0.1% of colored diamonds.
After a buyer defaulted on paying a record $83 million for the Pink Star in 2013, it returned to auction in 2017 with a vengeance. Fetching an eye-watering $71 million, the Pink Star shattered its own record as the world’s priciest gem ever sold! Now sparkling in an undisclosed owner’s collection, for connoisseurs and bidding warriors alike, the Pink Star represents the pinnacle of precious collectibility.
5. The Marie Antoinette Peacock Brooch
- Era: Designed for 18th-century French royalty
- Creator: Bohmer, jeweler to the French crown
- Uniqueness: One-of-a-kind masterpiece
- Design: Three overlapping peacock feathers crafted entirely from precious gems and metals
- Gemstones: Over 1,300 diamonds, pearls, sapphires, and emeralds
- Detail: Intricate layers capturing every feather detail with stunning realism
- Symbolism: Represents the opulence and extravagance of the Gilded Age
- Legacy: A captivating piece of jewelry with historical significance and artistic mastery
Designed for 18th century French royalty by jeweler to the crown Bohmer, this resplendent one-of-a-kind brooch stuns with dazzling details. It features three overlapping peacock feathers rendered entirely in precious gems and metals. Over 1,300 diamonds, pearls, sapphires and emeralds capture every barbule and eyelash in stacked layers of intricacy.
Originally created for Madame du Barry, King Louis XV’s companion, it instead delighted his successor King Louis XVI’s young bride Marie Antoinette for 18 years. After the French Revolution saw the extravagant Queen beheaded, the Peacock Brooch disappeared for over 200 years. Collectors believed the masterwork destroyed before it finally resurfaced in 2007.
Now belonging to a private owner in the Middle East, the reemerged Peacock Brooch may be worth over $100 million today both for its sublime artistry and history adorning European royalty. Every glittering motif symbolizes the height of 18th century French jewelry mastery!
6. Cartier’s Tutti Frutti Bracelet
- Era: Launched in the 1920s by Parisian jeweler Cartier
- Concept: Whimsical “exploding bouquets” of vibrantly colored, carved gemstones
- Stones: Initially considered “flawed” and discarded by miners, later celebrated for their unique shapes and textures
- Visionary designer: Jeanne Toussaint, who recognized the beauty and potential in these unconventional stones
- Design: Colorful and playful, featuring leaves, berries, and flowers rendered in sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds
- Significance: Embraced imperfection and celebrated individual beauty, pushing the boundaries of traditional high jewelry
- Legacy: A timeless collection still loved for its bold colors, playful spirit, and innovative use of materials
Leave it to iconic Parisian jeweler Cartier to unleash high jewelry’s playful potential! Launched in the 1920s, Cartier’s Tutti Frutti collection features whimsical exploding bouquets of carved gemstones. Miners originally discarded these small misshapen stones as flawed and worthless. But visionary designer Jeanne Toussaint saw delightful possibility instead.
By adopting and repurposing discarded gem crystals, Cartier pioneered sustainable luxury long before conservation caught on. Art Deco style further modernized elaborate jewelry with abstract touches. Jazzy patterns, bursting free forms and vibrant colors captured Jazz Age joie de vivre.
This exuberant Tutti Frutti bracelet Cartier created for socialite Barbara Hutton epitomizes the verve and vibrancy of era and design. Worth over $7 million today, its carved rubies, emeralds and sapphires delight with lust for life!
7. Graff Diamonds Lesotho For Love Pendant
- Origin: Part of Graff’s Lesotho Promise collection, crafted from rough stones acquired alongside the larger 603-carat diamond
- Inspiration: Ethical practices and community empowerment embodied by the Lesotho Promise initiative
- Design: Heart-shaped pendant with sunburst rays, evoking warmth and generosity
- Uniqueness: Owns a piece of the historic Lesotho Promise while representing its philanthropic values
- Symbolism: Light radiating from the heart, signifying hope, joy, and positive impact
- Rarity: Limited edition collection, drawing value from both its ethical origin and exquisite design
- Significance: Represents the legacy of the Lesotho Promise, blending luxury with responsible sourcing and community support
When the 603 carat Lesotho Promise diamond raised millions for African charities through ethical local cutting, owner Laurence Graff also acquired special rough stones for his own jewelry house. The result, Graff’s spellbinding Lesotho Promise collection, including this heart-sun shaped pendant dubbed the Lesotho Sun.
Boasting 52 resized round brilliant diamonds weighing over 118 carats, the pendant centers on a dazzling shield-cut yellow diamond. Orange and yellow sapphires radiate like warm rays around this incandescent center. Symbolizing growth, light and energy, the intricate Sun design instantly lifts spirits.
Proceeds from Lesotho Sun pendants support the Lesotho Promise campaign to build schools for disadvantaged youth. Alongside funding education, this light-infused jewel also raises awareness about ethical jewelry practices. Valued over $10 million, it mixes radiance and philanthropy most brilliantly!
8. Graff Diamonds Venus Earrings
- Carat weight: 102.79 carats
- Cut: Pear brilliant, known for its elongated teardrop shape and brilliance
- Clarity: Internally flawless, meaning no inclusions or blemishes visible to the naked eye
- Purity: Type IIA, the rarest and purest type of diamond, constituting only 2% of all diamonds
- Origin: Unveiled by renowned London jeweler Graff
- Uniqueness: Exceptional size, flawless clarity, top-tier purity, and captivating pear-shaped cut
- Crafting: Laser cutting and expert polishing maximized the diamond’s brilliance and beauty
- Significance: A rare and valuable jewel showcasing the expertise of Graff and the remarkable properties of nature
When celebrated London jeweler Graff unveiled the flawless 102.79 carat Venus diamond, its exceptional pear brilliant shape captivated jewel aficionados. Laser cutting and expert polish maximized dazzle, classifying it internally flawless. Rarer still, the Venus has “type IIA” purity – just 2% of diamonds belong in this top quality tier.
Destined to mesmerize in a breath-taking jewelry creation, Graff envisioned a pair of suspender earrings letting these phenoms dangle freely. Framing each Venus stone are additional marquise and pear brilliant diamonds, perfectly coordinating over 7 carats each. Four more pear silhouettes complete the composition with classic beauty.
Fetched for $53 million at 2017 auction by an anonymous buyer likely seeking spectacular investment opportunities, every angle of these Venus earrings enchants unreservedly. Their new owner surely feels fortunate to claim these matching diamond divas!
Final Words
We hope you’ve enjoyed this whirlwind tour through exceptional diamonds and exuberant jewelry designs! From investing in timeless gems with fascinating histories to appreciating intricate craftsmanship at its height to simply reveling in sublime sparkle, collectors find endless intrigue perfecting precious collections.
Please share your favorite dizzying diamonds or bejeweled pieces in comments below! Learning readers’ experiences makes compiling these ongoing jeweled showcases meaningful. And don’t forget to subscribe via email above for newly unearthed gems and more eye candy arriving straight to your inbox!
Most of all, we wish you success continuing a passion – whether seeking your own elusive white whale auction item someday or just keeping the spark alive learning jewelry journeys worldwide.
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