7 High-Carat-Weight Jewelry Pieces That Made History
Jewelry has been a symbol of wealth and luxury for centuries. From the ancient Egyptians to modern-day celebrities, high-carat-weight jewelry pieces have always been a statement piece that reflects a person’s status and style. In this article, we will be highlighting some of the most famous high-carat-weight jewelry pieces that have made history.
1. The Hope Diamond – 45.52 Carats
The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous diamonds in the world, with a storied history dating back to its discovery in India more than 400 years ago. Weighing in at an impressive 45.52 carats, this deep blue diamond has had many owners over the years, including King Louis XIV of France and socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean, who wore it as part of her extensive jewelry collection until her death in 1947.
Today, the Hope Diamond is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C., where visitors can marvel at its size and beauty.
2. The Cullinan Diamond – 3,106 Carats
Discovered in South Africa in 1905, the Cullinan Diamond is still considered to be one of the largest gem-quality diamonds ever found. Weighing an astonishing 3,106 carats before being cut into smaller stones (including several that are now part of British royal family’s Crown Jewels), this diamond was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan – who owned the mine where it was discovered.
The main stone from this rough diamond weighed approximately 530 carats before being cut into nine major gems (including two weighing over 300 carats each) by Asscher Brothers of Amsterdam for King Edward VII’s coronation crown.
3. The Taylor-Burton Diamond -69 Carats
This stunning pear-shaped diamond was purchased by actor Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor while they were filming Cleopatra together in 1963. At the time, it was the most expensive diamond ever purchased (for $1.1 million) and weighed in at an impressive 69 carats.
Taylor wore the diamond on a necklace to many high-profile events, including Princess Grace of Monaco’s birthday party in 1967. After her death, the diamond was auctioned off for charity – fetching a whopping $5 million.
4. The Pink Star Diamond -59.6 Carats
The Pink Star is one of the largest pink diamonds ever discovered and weighs in at an impressive 59.6 carats. This oval-shaped gemstone was sold for a record-breaking $71.2 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction house in April 2017, making it both the most expensive gemstone and jewelry piece ever sold at auction.
The buyer of this exquisite stone has remained anonymous since its purchase, but we can only imagine how breathtaking it must be to see such a large and rare pink diamond up close.
5. The Lesotho Promise Diamond -603 Carats
This massive rough diamond was discovered in Lesotho in 2006 and weighed over 600 carats before being cut into smaller stones by renowned jeweler Laurence Graff of Graff Diamonds in London.
One of the largest polished stones from this rough diamond is known as ‘The Lesotho Promise,’ which measures approximately half an inch across and weighs just over 75 carats – making it one of the world’s most valuable diamonds.
Today, ‘The Lesotho Promise’ is part of Graff Diamonds’ private collection, but you can still marvel at pictures online that showcase its stunning beauty!
6. The Moussaieff Red Diamond -5.11 Carats
Named after its owner (Israeli-born British billionaire Shlomo Moussaieff), this stunning red diamond weighs just over five carats but is considered to be one of the world’s rarest gemstones.
Discovered in Brazil in the 1990s, this diamond was purchased by Moussaieff for an undisclosed sum and has since been on display at several high-profile exhibitions around the world – including a special exhibit at London’s Natural History Museum in 2003.
7. The Winston Blue Diamond -13.22 Carats
Named after its owner (Harry Winston), this stunning blue diamond was sold for a record-breaking $23.8 million at Christie’s Geneva auction house back in May 2014.
Weighing just over 13 carats, this pear-shaped stone is considered to be among the finest blue diamonds ever discovered and features a vivid blue color that is truly breathtaking to behold.
Conclusion
High-carat-weight jewelry pieces have always been a symbol of wealth and luxury – with many famous stones still capturing our imaginations today. From the Hope Diamond to more recent discoveries like The Pink Star, these gems are not only beautiful but also serve as reminders of history, culture, and tradition across cultures worldwide!