Ten of the Most Famous Diamonds and Who Owns Them

There are more than three hundred fifty named diamonds famous for their histories.

The Cullinan, is the largest cut diamond in the world. It was found in South Africa and was named for the owner of the mining company. The Cullinan diamond was 3106 carats, and was cut into 105 stunning diamonds. The largest was named the "Star of Africa" and is 530 carats by itself. In 1907 this diamond was given to King Edward VII of England, and set into the Royal Scepter. It is kept, along with the other Crown Jewels, safely in the Tower of London.

The Cullinan II is 317.40 carats. The color is white and is the cushion-shaped diamond in the center-front of the Imperial State Crown of Great Britain. It is also in the Tower of London with the British Crown Jewels.

The Dary-i-Nur is 186 carats, is pink and is in the Iranian Treasury. It is the largest uncut diamond in the world. Its name means "Sea of Light".

The Dresden Green is 41 carats; it is green, and a very rare type ila diamond of extraordinary quality. It gets its name from the city of Saxony where it had been on display for 200 years. The Dresden Green is now on display at the Albertinium Museum in Dresden.

The Hope Diamond is 45.52 carats, is blue, and is in the Smithsonian Institute. According to legend, a curse was placed on the large, blue diamond after it was stolen from an idol in India. Whether you believe in curses or not, the diamond has had a fascinating past ? it was owned by King Louis XIV, stolen during the French Revolution, sold to pay gambling debts, owned and worn almost daily by an American heiress, sold and worn to raise money for charity, and finally donated to the Smithsonian Museum.

The Hortensia is 20 carats, is peach colored and is in the Louvre. It is one of the crown Jewels of France, and was owned by Louis XIV. It was named after Hortense de Beauharnais, Queen of Holland, who was the daughter of the Empress Josephine, the stepdaughter of Napoleon Bonaparte and the mother of Napoleon III.

The Kohinoor is 108.93 carats, white and is located in the Tower of London. As with many of the most famous diamonds, there is a curse of death and destruction attached to it. Its name means "Mountain of Light" and legend has it that it actually comes from another diamond also rife with legend, called the "Great Mogul" which was said to have weighed 244 carats and mysteriously disappeared in 1665. The Kohinoor was owned by the first sultan of Mogul, and passed down through generations, until it was given to Queen Victoria. It was recut and now rests in the crown of Queen Elizabeth.

The Orloff is 189.62 carats. It is thought to have weighed about 300 carats when it was discovered. For a while, it was confused with the Great Mogul diamond. One of the legends of the Orloff is that it was set in the eye of a god statue in the temple of Sri Rangen, and stolen by a French soldier dressed up like a Hindu. He is said to have escaped by swimming down a raging river during a storm. It was eventually sold to Prince Gregory Orloff. In an attempt to win back her heart, he gave it to Catherine the Great, who collected lovers and precious gems with equal passion. She had the diamond mounted on top of the double eagle in the Imperial scepter. It is in the Russian Diamond Fund, Moscow.

The Spoonmaker Diamond has many legends associated with it. (It supposedly got its name when the owner--who is said to have found it sitting on top of a pile of garbage --bartered it to a spoonmaker for three wooden spoons.) More likely is that it was purchased by a Frenchman named Pikot, who bought it from the Maharajah of Madras in India. He took it to France, but was robbed. The diamond ended up at an auction, and was bid on by the notorious Casanova. It was finally bought by Napoleon's mother, Letizia Ramolino, who later sold her jewelry to help her son escape from Elba. It was bought again by an officer of Tepedelenli, and put into the treasury. When Tepedelenli was killed during a revolt, the entire treasury went to the Palace of Turkey, and the Spoonmaker's Diamond, now called the "Kasicki" is there.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a 69 carat pear-shaped white diamond that was originally called the "Cartier Diamond" after the jeweler paid $1,050,000 for it at an auction. Richard Burton purchased it the day after the auction for Elizabeth Taylor. She later renamed it the Taylor-Burton diamond. Ms. Taylor wore the diamond publicly at a party for Princess Grace's 40th birthday party in Monaco. She sold the diamond in 1978 and used the funds to build a hospital in Botswana. The diamond was later purchased by Robert Mouawad.

Read more about Diamond Myths, Legends & History at HomeGiftShopper.com

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of Home Gift Shopper: A premier resource for quality Gift Ideas. This article may be republished as long as it remains unchanged, this notice stays intact, and all links are made live.

---

Angelo Carbotti Handbag Line Karen

As some of you might already know Angelo Carbotti handbags... Read More

Buying Shoes Online - The Benefits

I love to buy shoes but I hate to shop... Read More

Fashionable Clothing That You Choose

Clothing encompasses a wide range of apparel. From big and... Read More

Mens Dress Shoes: Details that Define Quality in Mens Fashion

Every man should know the mens dress shoes details before... Read More

What Your Handbags Say About You

You can tell a lot about a person from the... Read More

Celebrity Birthstone Jewelry

It seems that birthstone jewelry isn't just for us normal... Read More

Wolf Jewelry: Dances With Vogue

When shopping for jewelry, one can see two extremes in... Read More

Get in the Fashion Loop with a Brighton Handbag!

Brighton handbags come in many extraordinary styles and designs making... Read More

Celebrities Like Their Pearls

Pearls never go out of style ? they are always... Read More

The History Of Jewelry

Rhinestones have a glittering past. Originally rhinestones where referred to... Read More

How to Dress for the Business World

1. Treat your business clothing as an investment and choose... Read More

Leather Jackets, Pants, Skirts: Bikers - The Hot Products In Leather Market

What is Fashion? Embracing style, trend, and comfort is called... Read More

Tips To Expressing Yourself With T-Shirts

T shirts can provide a lasting impression on your life... Read More

Leather Jewelry - a Touch of Forbidden (and Friendship)

Most people will agree that leather jewelry is great. Whether... Read More

Ralph Lauren 2005 Spring & Summer Collection

The Ralph Lauren Spring & Summer 2005 Collection is simply... Read More

Get Fashionable With Womens Flipflops

The hottest fashion trend for feet this summer is women's... Read More

Tips in Choosing the Right Kind of Sunglasses

Today, sunglasses have become everyone's bestfriend. We never leave home... Read More

Fads and Fashions

"Following the crowd" is something that we have all been... Read More

Diamond Stud Earrings: Elegant Unisexuality

A diamond stud earring is made up of just one... Read More

Fashionable Silver Earrings for Anytime and All the Time

It's been said that silver jewelry makes a person look... Read More

Finally, Everyone Can Feel Good in Swimwear

"Whatever reason or purpose you have for going in the... Read More

Diamonds Are Forever

Diamond jewelry: diamond rings, diamond earrings, diamond pendants and diamond... Read More

Five Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Books1. If mom is a collector, whatever her passion -... Read More

Your Fashion Style is Important

Fashion style is important. You clothes make your fashion statement,... Read More

Lion Jewelry: The Pride of Royalty

"I'll show you who's boss!" is what the sight of... Read More

Shopping for Plus Size Erotic Lingerie Online

Being overweight no longer excludes you from wearing sexy lingerie... Read More

Women?s Guide: Fashion Trends for Summer 2005

If you are like me and many others the warm... Read More

Why Weight Train During Pregnancy?

There was once a time that a pregnant woman was... Read More

All About Cameos

There is something about a cameo that it truly captivating.... Read More

Louis Vuitton Handbags

Louis Vuitton is a name recognized throughout the world. Known... Read More

Color Contact Lenses - Are They Safe?

Do you want to find out how you would look... Read More

The Power of Color in Business

THERE IS POWER IN YOUR CLOSET and it is in... Read More

The Brand of Ugg!

There are few trends that last longer than one season.... Read More