Size, History, Master Cutters and Present Locations
Diamonds have fascinated humanity for centuries. Some became symbols of royal power, others transformed the science of diamond cutting, and a few achieved legendary status because of their extraordinary size and rarity.
The following list combines size, historical importance, rarity and influence on the diamond industry.
1. Cullinan Diamond
Rough Weight: 3,106.75 carats
Found: South Africa, 1905
Polished By: Joseph Asscher
Current Location: British Crown Jewels
The Cullinan remains the largest gem quality rough diamond ever discovered. It was cut into nine principal diamonds and 96 smaller stones. The largest, Cullinan I, weighs 530.2 carats and remains one of the world’s most famous diamonds.
Estimated Value Today: US$2 billion+ (insurance estimates vary greatly).
2. Golden Jubilee Diamond
Polished Weight: 545.67 carats
Found: South Africa
Polished By: Gabriel Tolkowsky
Current Location: Thailand Royal Treasury
The largest faceted gem quality diamond in the world.
Estimated Value: US$100 million to US$250 million.
3. The Incomparable
Polished Weight: 407.48 carats
Found: Democratic Republic of Congo
Current Location: Private ownership
A fancy brownish yellow diamond renowned for its size and unusual triangular shape.
Estimated Value: US$20 million to US$50 million.
4. Cullinan I (Great Star of Africa)
Weight: 530.2 carats
Current Location: Sovereign’s Sceptre, British Crown Jewels.
5. Cullinan II (Second Star of Africa)
Weight: 317.4 carats
Current Location: Imperial State Crown.
6. Centenary Diamond
Weight: 273.85 carats
Found: Premier Mine, South Africa
Polished By: Master cutters employed by De Beers
One of the most perfect large diamonds ever cut.
Estimated Value: US$100 million+.
7. Koh-i-Noor
Weight: 105.6 carats
Current Location: British Crown Collection
Perhaps the most famous diamond in history, originating in India and passing through Mughal, Persian, Afghan and British hands.
Estimated Value: Effectively priceless.
8. Hope Diamond
Weight: 45.52 carats
Current Location: Smithsonian Institution
The world’s most famous blue diamond.
Estimated Value: US$250 million to US$350 million.
9. Lesedi La Rona
Rough Weight: 1,109 carats
Found: Botswana
One of the largest gem quality rough diamonds ever discovered. Purchased by Laurence Graff for US$53 million.
10. Sewelô
Rough Weight: 1,758 carats
Found: Botswana
Second largest rough diamond ever recovered. Acquired by Louis Vuitton and HB Antwerp.
11. Excelsior
Rough Weight: 995.2 carats
Found: South Africa
Largest diamond before the discovery of the Cullinan. Cut by the Asscher family.
12. Lesotho Promise
Rough Weight: 603 carats
Current Location: Cut into 26 diamonds by Graff.
13. Regent Diamond
Weight: 140.64 carats
Current Location: Louvre Museum
One of the finest historic diamonds in existence.
14. Orlov Diamond
Weight: 189.6 carats
Current Location: Russian Diamond Fund
15. Daria-i-Noor
Weight: Approximately 182 carats
Current Location: Iranian Crown Jewels.
16. Tiffany Yellow Diamond
Weight: 128.54 carats
Current Location: Tiffany & Co.
17. Taylor-Burton Diamond
Weight: 69.42 carats
Purchased by Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor.
18. Dresden Green
Weight: 41 carats
Current Location: Dresden Treasury, Germany
One of the world’s largest natural green diamonds.
19. Pink Star
Weight: 59.60 carats
World auction record holder among diamonds.
Sale Price: US$71.2 million.
20. Wittelsbach-Graff
Weight: 31.06 carats
Rare deep blue historic diamond.
21. Moussaieff Red
Weight: 5.11 carats
Largest known red diamond.
22. Oppenheimer Blue
Weight: 14.62 carats
One of the most valuable blue diamonds ever sold.
23. The Enigma
The Enigma diamond
Weight: 555.55 carats
Largest faceted black diamond ever sold publicly.
24. Black Falcon
Weight: 612.34 carats
Polished By: Peter Herbosch
The largest cut black diamond known today.
The Most Valuable Diamonds Today
| Diamond | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Cullinan Collection | US$2 billion+ |
| Hope Diamond | US$250m to US$350m |
| Golden Jubilee | US$100m to US$250m |
| Centenary | US$100m+ |
| Pink Star | Sold for US$71.2m |
| Lesedi La Rona Rough | US$53m sale |
| Oppenheimer Blue | US$57.5m sale |
| Koh-i-Noor | Priceless |
DCLA Commentary
The greatest diamonds are not always the largest. The Cullinan remains the most important diamond ever recovered because it transformed royal jewellery and demonstrated the highest standards of large diamond cutting. The Koh-i-Noor shaped centuries of political history, while the Hope Diamond became the world’s most famous coloured diamond.
From the Asscher family’s revolutionary work on the Cullinan in 1908 to Gabriel Tolkowsky’s masterpiece cutting of the Golden Jubilee, these extraordinary stones represent the pinnacle of both nature’s achievement and human craftsmanship. Together they form a unique record of diamond history and remain benchmarks for gemological excellence today.
DCLA Disclaimer: Diamond valuations shown are broad market estimates based on historical sales, insurance valuations, rarity and current market conditions. Many historically significant diamonds are considered priceless because they are held in national collections, museums or royal treasuries and would be unlikely ever to be offered for public sale.
Comments are closed