The World's Most Famous Diamonds

							          The World's Most Famous Diamonds
All diamonds are special and beautiful, especially to the person wearing it, but some of them are
much more special and exclusive than others and that is why they are so famous. Here are five of
the most famous diamonds in the world.


1) The Koh-I-Noor
Perhaps the most famous diamond in the world is the Koh-I-Noor, which adorns Queen Elizabeth
II's crown. This diamond was mined in India and passed through many of the country's rulers before
it was given to Queen Victoria in the 19th Century. Its names means mountain of light in Persian
and it was once the biggest known diamond in the world.


2) The Star Africa Diamond
The Star Africa is largest cut diamond in the world and is also part of the Crown Jewels. This
stunning diamond is set in the Royal Sceptre and is part of the Cullinan Diamond, which is the
largest rough diamond ever discovered. It was found in South Africa in 1905 before being presented
to King Edward VII, who broke it into three pieces, then nine and placed this largest piece in the
sceptre.


3) The Hope Diamond
This diamond is ironically named because it is reputed to be cursed and bring its owners bad luck.
British banker Henry Thomas Hope bought the diamond in 1830, but after his son later inherited the
diamond, he lost all his money. American widow Mrs McLean then owned the Hope and her ill-
fated family suffered a number of tragedies. It is now on display in Washington's Smithsonian
Institute.


4) The Hortensia Diamond
This 20-carat, peach-coloured stone was named after Napoleon Bonaparte's stepdaughter, The
Queen Of Holland. It has been part of the French Crown Jewels since Louis XIV bought it and is
currently on show at the Louvre in Paris.


5) The Tiffany Diamond
The beautiful Tiffany was the largest yellow diamond in the world until very recently and it was
discovered in South Africa's Kimberley mines in the 1870s. Charles Tiffany bought the diamond
and it now sits in a 'Bird On A Rock' setting created by jeweller Jean Schlumberger.


Daniel Rosen is the owner of 4Cs Diamonds, a member of The London Diamond Bourse and
specialises in bespoke jewellery. Contact Daniel if you would like to sell diamonds or your diamond
jewellery.