From regal crowns to opulent jewelry, diamonds have captivated humanity for centuries. In this captivating journey, we’ll uncover the 10 biggest diamonds in the world, extraordinary gems that have dwarfed their counterparts and left indelible imprints on our history.
These sparkling behemoths offer more than just their staggering sizes; they open a portal to intriguing tales of discovery, transformation, and grandeur that resonate throughout time.
History of Diamond Discovery
Diamond discovery extends back centuries, with India credited as the original source before shifting to Brazil, and finally, South Africa in the late 19th century. This South African shift marked the finding of many of history’s most significant diamonds, kickstarting a new era of diamond exploration.
The Top 10 Biggest Diamonds in the World
1. The Cullinan Diamond (3,106 carats)
Image source: Pinterest
Holding the prestigious title as the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered, the Cullinan Diamond has a story that is truly as remarkable as its size. Found in the Premier Mine in South Africa in 1905, it was named after the mine’s owner, Sir Thomas Cullinan. The original stone, a staggering 3,106 carats, was skillfully divided into nine major stones and 96 smaller fragments.
The two largest gems, the Great Star of Africa and the Lesser Star of Africa, now form a significant part of the illustrious British Crown Jewels. They serve as a lasting symbol of the enduring opulence and grandeur of the British monarchy, making the Cullinan Diamond an icon of royal history and gemology.
2. The Lesedi La Rona Diamond (1,109 carats)
Discovered in Botswana in 2015, the Lesedi La Rona Diamond is the second-largest gem-quality diamond ever found. It was discovered in the Lucara Karowe mine, a site renowned for yielding large diamonds. Lesedi La Rona, meaning “Our Light” in Tswana language, is approximately the size of a tennis ball, emphasizing its incredible mass.
Despite initial difficulties selling the diamond at Sotheby’s auction, Graff Diamonds eventually acquired it, making it a part of their remarkable gem collection. The discovery of Lesedi La Rona marked a significant moment in the 21st-century diamond mining, underscoring the continued potential for finding large, high-quality diamonds.
3. The Excelsior Diamond (995 carats)
Image source: Pinterest
Originally discovered in 1893 in the Jagersfontein Mine in South Africa, the Excelsior Diamond held the status of the largest known diamond in the world until the Cullinan Diamond was found in 1905. In its rough form, the Excelsior weighed a mind-boggling 995 carats. Rather than being cut into a few large pieces, the Excelsior was divided into 21 smaller but still significant diamonds.
The largest fragment, known as Excelsior I, is a beautiful pear-shaped gem weighing approximately 69.68 carats. Despite the decision to divide it into multiple pieces, the Excelsior Diamond remains one of the most renowned gems in the world due to its initial size and the high quality of its fragments.
4. The Star of Sierra Leone (969 carats)
Image source: Pinterest
Discovered in 1972 in Sierra Leone, the Star of Sierra Leone is the fourth-largest gem-quality diamond ever found. It was a staggering 969 carats in its original state. The rough diamond was sold and ended up with Harry Winston, a well-known jeweler who initially cut it into an emerald-shaped stone.
However, a flaw in the diamond led him to recut it into smaller gems. The largest of these recut diamonds weighs 53.96 carats. Despite the necessary reduction in size, the Star of Sierra Leone maintains a place among the largest diamonds in history, a shining testament to the mineral wealth of Sierra Leone.
5. The Lesotho Legend (910 carats)
Image source: Pinterest
The Lesotho Legend is the fifth-largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered. Found in the Letseng Mine in Lesotho in 2018, this impressive diamond weighed an unbelievable 910 carats in its raw form. Its flawless clarity and D-color grade mark it as one of the highest-quality diamonds in existence.
The Letseng Mine, situated high in the mountains of Lesotho, is known for producing large, top-quality diamonds, and the Lesotho Legend upholds this reputation in grand style. Although the final cut and polished size of the diamond have not been publicized, the sheer size of the rough diamond secures its position among the world’s biggest diamonds.
6. The Incomparable Diamond (890 carats)
Image source: Pinterest
The Incomparable Diamond is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world. It was discovered in the 1980s in a pile of rubble from the Mbuji-Mayi mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Originally, this diamond weighed an astounding 890 carats in its rough form. After several years of detailed planning and cautious cutting, it was finally polished into a magnificent, yellowish-brown gem weighing 407.48 carats.
The Incomparable Diamond, as its name suggests, holds a unique place in the diamond world due to its size, quality, and the intricacy of its cut. It is currently set in a necklace and is known to be one of the most valuable pieces of diamond jewelry in existence.
7. The Constellation Diamond (812.77 carats)
Image source: Pinterest
The Constellation Diamond, another extraordinary find from Botswana, shares its origin with the Lesedi La Rona Diamond, both discovered in 2015 at the Lucara Karowe mine. With a weight of 812.77 carats, it held the record for the largest diamond discovered in the 21st century until Lesedi La Rona was found.
The Constellation is known not just for its immense size but also for its high quality. The Swiss jeweler, De Grisogono, acquired it and undertook the responsibility of cutting and polishing this remarkable stone. The meticulous process took over a year, underscoring the craftsmanship that large, high-quality diamonds demand.
8. The Koh-i-Noor Diamond (793 carats)
Image source: Pinterest
One of the oldest and most famous diamonds, the Koh-i-Noor, meaning “Mountain of Light” in Persian, was discovered in India, the original birthplace of diamond mining. While it originally weighed an impressive 793 carats in its rough state, it has been cut down several times for brilliance and today weighs 105.6 carats.
It has a complex history, changing hands among various South Asian and Persian rulers. The British took the Koh-i-Noor during the colonization of India, and it now resides in the British Crown Jewels. The diamond is surrounded by legend, claiming that it brings misfortune to any man who wears it but good luck to any female owner.
9. The Millennium Star (777 carats)
Image source: Pinterest
The Millennium Star is one of the most remarkable diamonds in the world, renowned not just for its size but also for its impeccable quality. Discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1990, the diamond originally weighed 777 carats in its rough state. After years of meticulous cutting and shaping, it was transformed into a magnificent pear-shaped gem of 203.04 carats.
The Millennium Star is famous for its flawless clarity and D color, the highest grade for a diamond, making it one of the most beautiful gems in the world. Owned by De Beers, it was the centerpiece of their Millennium Jewels collection, which was displayed in the Millennium Dome in London in 2000. Its perfection in size, color, and clarity makes the Millennium Star a truly outstanding gem among the largest diamonds in the world.
10. The Woyie River Diamond (770 carats)
Image source: Pinterest
The Woyie River Diamond is the largest diamond ever discovered in Sierra Leone and the third largest diamond ever found. Discovered in 1945 in the Woyie River, it initially weighed a staggering 770 carats in its rough state. The gem-quality diamond was subsequently cut into 30 smaller stones, the largest of which is a pear-shaped diamond of 31.34 carats known as the Victory Diamond.
Despite being divided into smaller gems, the original size of the Woyie River Diamond secures its place among the largest diamonds ever discovered, testament to the rich diamond resources of Sierra Leone.
Conclusion
The biggest diamonds in the world offer us a glimpse into the incredible wonders hidden beneath Earth’s crust. These precious stones are much more than symbols of affluence; they are historical markers, embodying thrilling tales of discovery and awe-inspiring transformations. As we look forward to new findings that might further reshape our list, we are reminded of the extraordinary beauty and grandeur these timeless treasures possess.
