World Famous Diamonds 5

The Earth Star - No PictureCullinan diamond. Since a buyer could not be found
The Earth Star was found in the Jagersfonteinfor such a large stone it was decided to cut the
Mine in 1967. It was cut from a raw stone ofstone into a number of smaller stones the largest
about 248.9 carats into a Pear shaped stonebeing only 69.68 carats. It was stated by Alpheus
weighing 111.59 carats. At the time it wasF. Williams, who later became the General
considered the largest faceted brown diamond inManager of the De Beers company, considering
the world. This particular stone shows a degree ofthe decision to cleave the diamond into several
brilliance that is not usually found in gems withsmaller fragments as the greatest tragedy of
such a strong color. It was sold in 1983 tomodern times in the history of famous diamond in
Stephen Zbova of Naples for $900,000.the world. In 1996 it was sold to Robert Mouawad
Eureka Diamondfor $2,642,000.
This gem is not exceptional but it was the veryFlorentine Diamond - Cubic Zirconium replication
first diamond found in South Africa. It was foundThis is another of the Great Lost famous
by a shepherd boy in 1866 on the bank of thediamonds of the world. Only black and white
Orange River near Hopetown. It was passed fromphotos exist of this famous stone prior to its
hand to hand by several people without itdisappearance in 1921. It is a 137.27-carat diamond
becoming know that it was a diamond until Dr. W.with light yellow colorations with very slight
G. Atherstone of Grahamstone came intogreenish overtones. Legend has it that Charles the
possession of the pebble. Dr Atherstone was oneBold, Duke of Burgundy was warring it when he
of the very few people in the Cape colony whofell in battle in 1467. The diamond was then found
knew anything about gemstones. It was cut intoon the body by a foot solder that though it was
a 21.25 brownish yellow diamond and sold in 1867.glass. It is thought to have been owned by Pope
Excelsior DiamondJulius II, The Grand duke of Tuscany in 1657, and
This stone was found at the Jagersfontein minelater as part of the Hapsburg Crown Jewels. It is
by one of the workers in a shovel full of gravel.believed to have been re-cut into an 80 carat
Instead of giving it to his overseer as wasround diamond that was sold in 1981 and its
required he hid it in his pocket and gave it directlypresent location is unknown.
to the Mine Manager. This 995.2 carat diamondThe Golden Jubilee
has suffered a tragic fate ever since and isThis diamond is currently considered as the
considered to be the Great Unknown of famouslargest faceted diamond in the whole world at
diamonds. It just happened to be found on the545.67 carts. Also known as the fire rose cut
exact day that a consortium of London firms thatdiamond, this diamond has a unique fancy
had the purchase rights to the mines outputyellow-brown color that made it one of the most
expired. Had the diamond been found a couple ofbeautiful pieces of stone ever unearthed. It
hours earlier the history of the Excelsior Diamondreceived its name when it was presented to the
may have been much different. The ExcelsiorKing of Thailand in 1997 for his 50th anniversary
Diamond is the second largest rough diamond ofof his coronation.
gem quality ever found only surpassed by the