The 18 Most Storied Jewels in the World
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There's a misconception that jewelry is nothing more than a fashion accessory. The reality is that jewels have long played an important role in society as monikers of history. As a matter of fact, many gemstones and iconic pieces of jewelry have storied (and sometimes infamous) pasts that give historians and admirers alike a peek at what the world was like at the time of their creation.
Some have been plundered from conquered lands from ancient times. Others purchased as gifts by famous for their spouses and lovers or lived in the crown jewel collections of royals around the globe. All showcase the brilliance and artisanal talents of their makers. Undeniably, the world remains fascinated by the lore and notoriety of many of these jewels' rich (and sometimes scandalous) beginnings.
Here, we take a deep and fascinating dive into some of the most renowned sparkling stones. Discover the history behind a cursed black diamond that made collectors superstitious, the sapphire once loved by Indian royalty, and 17 other dazzling gems. Read on to learn about the most famous jewels in the world.
The Hutton-Mdivani Necklace
Throughout history, jadeites have been treasured and worn by the world's leading fashion icons and renowned female leaders. The most famous perhaps being the astonishing necklaces gifted to American socialite and heiress Barbara Hutton. The Hutton-Mdivani Necklace is composed of 27 graduated jadeite beads, all in an impeccable emerald shade, with a clasp set made of caliber-cut rubies and baguette diamonds. In 2014, the jadeite bead necklace sold for more than $27.4 million at Sotheby’s auction to the Cartier Collection.
The Star of Asia
Thought to be one of the crown jewels of India’s Maharajah of Jodhpur, the Star of Asia was found at the ancient Mogok mines in Burma. It's considered to be one of the world’s finest star sapphires for the gem's impressive, coming in at 330 carats. Another unique characteristic is the six-rayed star at the center of the perfectly-cut sapphire. The Star of Asia is currently on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Napoleon Diamond Necklace
Emperor Napoleon commissioned the Napoleon Diamond Necklace from the jewelry firm Etienne Nitôt and Sons of Paris for his second wife, Marie-Louise, to celebrate the birth of their first son. The original necklace featured 234 diamonds: 28 old mine-cut diamonds, a fringe of nine pendeloques, and 10 briolettes. It's believed the cost necklace at that time was the equivalent to the Empress's entire annual household budget. Today, the Napoleon Diamond Necklace is one display at the National Museum of Natural History.
The Dresden Green
At 41 carats, the Dresden Green is the largest natural green diamond in the world. Thought to be mined in the Golconda region of India, the diamond's history dates back to the early 18th century, when it was purchased by Friedrich Augustus I of Saxony for 400,000 thaler. At the time, that sum was equal to the value of four tons of gold. The diamond is now on view at Dresden Castle in Germany.
La Peregrina Pearl
Supposedly found off the coast of Panama in the mid-16th century, the La Peregrina Pearl was gifted to King Phillip II of Spain (Panama was a colony of the country at the time). He then turned around and presented the 58.5-carat pearl to Queen Mary of England as a bridal gift. It was glorified as being the most symmetrical natural pearl ever discovered and was eventually bought by Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor in 1969.
The Taylor-Burton Diamond
In 1966, Harry Winston purchased a rough diamond at 241 carats, which was cut into a pear-shaped, nearly 70-carat, flawless diamond. Eventually, this iconic stone was purchased by Richard Burton as a gift for his wife Elizabeth Taylor, and the stone was renamed the Taylor-Burton Diamond. Now, the jewelry house pays homage to the remarkable diamond with pieces like the Diamond Loop necklace that glorify the original's pear shape.
The Graff Pink
After purchasing a 24.78-carat pink diamond in 2010, Laurence Graff of the renowned eponymous jewelry house set out to realize the stone's true potential. He had the diamond reshaped and removed 20 natural flaws before renaming it The Graff Pink. The stone is now the most flawless pink diamond in the world, with vivid color, no internal flaws, and weighing in at 23.88 carats.
The Hope Diamond
Perhaps one of the most well-known diamonds in the world, the Hope Diamond has a long, and supposedly cursed, history. It's said to have originated in India and was first owned by King Louis XIV of France in 1668 before it was stolen and later appeared in the English royal court. The 45.52-carat blue diamond now resides in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Grace Kelly's Engagement Ring
Grace Kelly's engagement ring from Prince Rainier marked the beginning of her transformation from Hollywood starlet to royalty. Princess Grace wore her 10.47-carat engagement ring everywhere, even in the film High Society, where she appeared alongside Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Its film appearance made it one of the most famous rings in the world, and today, the ring is worth over $4 million.
L'Incomparable Diamond
L'Incomparable Diamond and necklace weighs in at 637 carats and is considered to be one of the most expensive necklaces in the world — it even has a Guinness World Record! The piece is valued at $55 million. The deep yellow 407.48-carat diamond featured as the focal point pendant is the largest internally flawless diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America.
The Koh-I-Noor Diamond
Claims suggest that the Koh-I-Noor Diamond started out at 793 carats and has been passed by rulers throughout the world for more than 5,000 years. After being whittled down throughout the years to 109 carats, the diamond was presented to Queen Victoria after Great Britain's conquering of the Punjab state of India and has remained in the possession of the British royal family ever since. It is now housed in the Tower of London and sits atop the 1937 coronation crown of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
The Black Orlov Diamond
Believed to be the reason behind the deaths of two Russian princesses and a New York diamond dealer, the Black Orlov Diamond comes to 67.5 carats and was discovered in the early 19th century in India. After Princesses Leonila Galitsine-Bariatinsky and Nadia Vygin-Orlov both jumped to their demises, diamond dealer J. W. Paris attempted to break the spell by cutting the stone into three pieces, but he was unsuccessful and also committed suicide.
The Marie-Louise Diadem
The Marie-Louise Diadem was a wedding gift from Napoleon to his bride Empress Marie-Louise. The original emeralds set in the diadem were replaced with 79 Persian turquoise stones in the 1950s, which allowed Van Cleef & Arpels to sell the emeralds in individual pieces of jewelry. The company later donated the diadem, complete with its original 1,006 original mine-cut diamonds, to the Smithsonian.
Princess Diana's Engagement Ring
The 18-carat sapphire surrounded by diamonds that now sits on Catherine Middleton's finger as her engagement ring actually started out as Princess Diana's engagement ring. And although it originally cost just $60,000, its significance in the royal family has made it one of the most beloved—and most famous—jewels in recent history.
The Henckel Von Donnersmarck Tiara
Katharina Henckel von Donnersmarck was married to Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck, a member of a noble German family and the second wealthiest in the country by the end of the 19th century. Thought to be the work of Chaumet, the Von Donnersmarck Tiara in total has 500 carats of gemstones and was gifted to Katharina by her husband. The stunning headpiece boasts some of the world's rarest emeralds that first belonged to Empress Eugénie of France.
The Duchess of Windsor's Panther Bracelet
Wallis Simpson was a known collector (thanks to King Edward VIII, later the Duke of Windsor and her husband) of Cartier creations. Among her treasures is Jeanne Toussaint's iconic panther design. The creative director of the house at the time was known for her love of the big cat, and it has become her long-living trademark. Simpson started her cat collection with two Cartier panther brooches and followed it with this Cartier panther bracelet in 1952.
The Cora Sun-Drop Diamond
This 110.3-carat pear-shaped yellow diamond originated in South Africa and was unearthed in 2010, but it is believed to have formed (according to expert research) in the earth's crust anywhere between 1 and 3 billion years ago. The Cora Sun-Drop Diamond also broke records for being the most expensive yellow diamond ever sold when it brought in between $10.9 million and $12.4 million at a Sotheby's auction.
The Tiffany Diamond
The iconic yellow Tiffany Diamond is synonymous with the house, and it has become a symbol of Tiffany & Co.'s enduring grandeur. The diamond was mined in 1877 from the Kimberley mines in South Africa at a mind-boggling, nearly 288 carats, and in 1878, Charles Lewis Tiffany purchased the stone and had it cut to its current 128.54 carats. In 2012, the stone was reset into a necklace accented by white diamonds in celebration of Tiffany's 175th anniversary, and it is now on permanent display in the brand's Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York City.
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