The allure of diamonds, with their dazzling brilliance and timeless elegance, has captivated humanity for centuries. They have been treasured as symbols of love, wealth, and power, adorning the crowns of monarchs and gracing the fingers of countless brides. Yet, among the plethora of precious gems, one question persists in the minds of enthusiasts and curious minds alike: who owns the biggest diamond on Earth? This enigmatic query unveils a fascinating journey through history, science, and the extraordinary world of the super-rich. In this article, we embark on a quest to unearth the answer, exploring the mysterious world of the most significant diamonds ever discovered.
The Legendary Cullinan Diamond: A Royal Legacy
Our quest begins with the legendary Cullinan Diamond, a gem that holds an unparalleled place in the world of diamonds. Discovered in 1905 in the Premier Mine of South Africa, the Cullinan Diamond weighed a staggering 3,106 carats (about 1.37 pounds) in its rough form, making it the largest diamond ever found. King Edward VII, the reigning monarch of the British Empire at the time, acquired this colossal gem as a gift from the government of the Transvaal.
The Cullinan Diamond was subsequently cut into nine principal stones, each with its unique facets and purpose. The largest of these, known as the Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa, is an exquisite 530.20-carat pear-shaped diamond. It is the largest clear-cut diamond globally, known for its remarkable brilliance and clarity. Today, the Cullinan I is mounted in the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross, part of the British Crown Jewels, and is displayed in the Tower of London.
The legacy of the Cullinan Diamond reminds us that the question of who owns the biggest diamond on Earth can vary depending on one’s perspective. While it is part of the British Crown Jewels and is, therefore, officially owned by the state, it is not the personal property of any single individual. Instead, it serves as a symbol of British royalty and history.
The Lesedi La Rona: A Modern Marvel
As we venture further into the world of extraordinary diamonds, we encounter a contemporary marvel: the Lesedi La Rona. Discovered in 2015 in the Lucara Diamond Corporation’s Karowe Mine in Botswana, this breathtaking gemstone ranks as the second-largest rough diamond ever found, weighing an astonishing 1,109 carats. Lesedi La Rona, which means “Our Light” in the Tswana language, presents a fascinating case in the exploration of who owns the biggest diamond on Earth.
After its discovery, the Lesedi La Rona ignited a spirited bidding war at a Sotheby’s auction in London. The auction marked a historic event, as it was the first time a diamond of this magnitude was made available to private buyers. It was expected to fetch a price of over $70 million. However, the diamond did not meet the reserve price, and the highest bid of $61 million fell short.
This leaves the Lesedi La Rona in a unique position. Unlike the Cullinan Diamond, it is not a part of any state’s regalia. Instead, it remains uncut and unpolished, stored in a vault, waiting for a buyer willing to meet its substantial market value. As of the current date, the ownership of the Lesedi La Rona remains in the hands of the Lucara Diamond Corporation.
The Hope Diamond: A Historical Marvel
As we delve deeper into the exploration of colossal diamonds, the Hope Diamond emerges as a fascinating historical marvel. Unlike the Cullinan Diamond or the Lesedi La Rona, the Hope Diamond is known more for its history, mystery, and a touch of infamy than its size. However, it is still a diamond of substantial proportions, weighing 45.52 carats.
The Hope Diamond’s story is shrouded in legend and intrigue. It was supposedly mined in India and became part of the French Crown Jewels during the reign of Louis XIV. Over the centuries, it changed hands numerous times and was eventually acquired by the renowned jeweler Pierre Cartier. The Hope Diamond gained a reputation for being cursed, causing misfortune and tragedy for its owners.
Today, the Hope Diamond is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Gem Collection and is on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. While the ownership of the Hope Diamond is now firmly in the hands of the U.S. government, its history is a testament to the ever-evolving question of who owns the biggest diamond on Earth. In this case, the diamond is owned by the people and serves as a public treasure, allowing millions of visitors to marvel at its beauty and learn about its storied past.
The Millennium Star: A Diamond of Record-Breaking Purity
As our quest continues, we encounter the Millennium Star, a diamond renowned for its exceptional purity and color. Discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1990, this breathtaking gem weighs 203.04 carats and is a pear-shaped, D-color, internally and externally flawless diamond.
The De Beers Group, a diamond mining and trading corporation, was responsible for the discovery of the Millennium Star. This remarkable diamond is part of a select group of diamonds that possess the highest possible color grade (D) and clarity grade (internally and externally flawless). In 1999, it was unveiled as the centerpiece of the “De Beers Millennium Jewels” collection, a celebration of the turn of the millennium.
Ownership of the Millennium Star can be traced back to the De Beers Group, which remains one of the world’s most significant players in the diamond industry. While the Millennium Star is not in the hands of a private individual, it serves as a symbol of De Beers’ commitment to showcasing the rarest and most exceptional diamonds in the world.
The Incomparable Diamond: A Tale of Rarity
One of the most awe-inspiring diamonds to emerge in recent history is the Incomparable Diamond. Discovered in the Mbuji-Mayi district of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1980s, this exceptional gemstone is not only renowned for its size but also for its unique characteristics. Weighing a remarkable 407.48 carats in its rough form, the Incomparable Diamond is the third-largest diamond ever discovered.
What sets the Incomparable Diamond apart is its extraordinary color. It is a fancy brownish-yellow diamond, a hue that is exceedingly rare among large diamonds. This combination of size and color makes the Incomparable Diamond one of the most exceptional gemstones in the world.
The ownership of the Incomparable Diamond is not easily discernible. It is currently housed in the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, like the Hope Diamond. However, unlike the Hope Diamond, the Incomparable Diamond has not been officially acquired by the U.S. government, making its ownership a bit more nebulous. It is considered a part of the museum’s collection but is not necessarily a possession of the state. Thus, the question of who owns the Incomparable Diamond is somewhat open to interpretation.
The Pink Star Diamond: A Record-Breaking Gem
As our exploration of the world’s largest diamonds continues, we come across the Pink Star Diamond, a gem that achieved legendary status in the world of high-value diamonds. This spectacular pink diamond, weighing 59.60 carats, is the largest internally flawless, vivid pink diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
The Pink Star Diamond was mined in Africa, and its incredible size and vibrant color have captured the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. It was originally sold in a Sotheby’s auction in 2017, where it fetched a record-breaking price of $71.2 million. However, the winning bidder, New York-based jeweler Isaac Wolf, defaulted on the payment, leading to the diamond’s return to Sotheby’s.
The ownership of the Pink Star Diamond now rests with Sotheby’s, and it remains available for private sale. This extraordinary gem exemplifies the transient nature of diamond ownership, where the highest bidder at an auction can temporarily possess these priceless treasures.
The Koh-i-Noor Diamond: A Storied Past
While exploring the world of famous diamonds, we cannot overlook the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, a diamond with a history as rich and complex as its many facets. The Koh-i-Noor, meaning “Mountain of Light” in Persian, has been a symbol of power and conquest for centuries.
This diamond’s history is intertwined with the Mughal Empire, where it was once believed to have weighed an astounding 793 carats. Over time, it passed from one empire to another, from the Mughals to the Persians, and eventually to the British Crown in the mid-19th century.
Today, the Koh-i-Noor Diamond is part of the British Crown Jewels, adorning the front of the Queen Mother’s Crown. Its ownership is officially attributed to the British monarchy, making it another example of a diamond owned by a state rather than a private individual. The Koh-i-Noor’s tumultuous history serves as a stark reminder of the complex and often controversial nature of diamond ownership.
The Pink Legacy Diamond: A Marvel of Color
In the realm of colored diamonds, the Pink Legacy Diamond is a marvel. Discovered in South Africa, this pink diamond weighs 18.96 carats and boasts a vivid, almost entirely uniform color. Its rarity and exceptional color quality place it among the most sought-after pink diamonds in the world.
The Pink Legacy Diamond made headlines when it was sold at a Christie’s auction in Geneva for a staggering $50.4 million in 2018. The winning bidder, Harry Winston, renamed the diamond the “Winston Pink Legacy.” As such, the ownership of this extraordinary gem is in the hands of the renowned jewelry company.
The “Who Owns the Biggest Diamond on Earth” Dilemma
Our exploration of the world’s most significant diamonds highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of diamond ownership. The question of who owns the biggest diamond on Earth can lead to diverse answers, depending on the criteria used to evaluate ownership. Some diamonds are owned by states and serve as symbols of royal power, like the Cullinan Diamond and the Koh-i-Noor Diamond. Others are in the hands of private individuals or corporations, like the Pink Star Diamond and the Pink Legacy Diamond.
Additionally, some diamonds, like the Lesedi La Rona and the Incomparable Diamond, remain uncut and unpolished, stored in anticipation of a future buyer. Their ownership is attributed to the companies or organizations that discovered them, yet they are not part of any private collection or public display.
In some cases, diamonds are sold at auctions to the highest bidder, whose ownership may be temporary or subject to change, as exemplified by the Pink Star Diamond. The allure of these remarkable gemstones often leads to fierce competition among collectors and enthusiasts, further complicating the question of ownership.
Conclusion: A Quest with No End
The question of who owns the biggest diamond on Earth is a journey that leads us through history, across continents, and into the realms of royalty and the super-rich. From the regal splendor of the Cullinan Diamond and the Koh-i-Noor Diamond to the contemporary allure of the Lesedi La Rona and the Pink Star Diamond, each of these gemstones has a unique story to tell. Their ownership may shift over time, but their beauty and significance endure, capturing the imagination of those who seek the answer to this enigmatic question.
Ultimately, the quest for the biggest diamond on Earth may have no definitive end. As new discoveries continue to reshape the landscape of the diamond industry, and as the world’s wealthiest individuals vie for ownership of these exceptional gems, the question remains fluid, evolving with each new chapter in the world of diamonds. In this ever-changing narrative, the answer to “who owns the biggest diamond on Earth” remains a tantalizing mystery, drawing us further into the fascinating world of these extraordinary gems.
