The Story of the Taylor-Burton Diamond

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor wearing the Taylor-Burton DiamondThe Taylor-Burton Diamond is a 69.42-carat pear-shape diamond that was made famous when actor Richard Burton bought it for his wife Elizabeth Taylor in 1969 for $1,100,000.

It was cut from a rough diamond weighing 240.80 carats which was found in the Premier Mine, Transvaal, South Africa in 1966.  It was purchased and cut by Harry Winston.  This is a D-color Flawless stone.

In 1967, Harry Winston sold the diamond to Mrs. Harriet Annenberg Ames, who two years later sent it to Parke-Bernet Galleries in New York to be auctioned with the understanding that it could be named by the buyer.

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The Spirit of de Grisogono is the Largest Black Diamond in the World

Spirit of de Grisogono DiamondAt 312.24 carats (62.45 g), the Spirit of de Grisogono is the largest cut black diamond in the world and the fifth largest diamond overall in the world.  It is set in a white gold mounting filled with 702 white diamonds which total 36.69 carats (7.34 g).

It was named after the Swiss jeweler de Grisogono, founded by Fawaz Gruosi, who was the first jeweler to specialize in black diamond jewelry and watches.  He also cut the Gruosi Diamond, which is the largest heart-shaped black diamond in the world.  It weighs 312.24 carats.

The Spirit of de Grisogono diamond was originally mined in west central Africa and had a rough weight of 587 carats (117 g).  It was then cut using the mogul diamond-cutting technique which was originally developed in India.    The entire process from studying the cut design to doing the actual cut took more than one year.  It is now privately owned.

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Surprising Facts about the Great Star of Africa Diamond

Man holding Cullinan I Diamond (Star of Africa Diamond)The largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found (3,106.75 carats; 621.35 g), the Great Star of Africa diamond was discovered at the Premier Diamond Mine in South Africa in 1905.   It is also known as the Cullinan diamond, named after the mine’s owner who happened to be there on that exciting day.

The Great Star of Africa diamond (the Cullinan diamond) was sold to the South African Transvaal government.   They, in turn, presented it to King Edward VII on November 9, 1907, for his 66th birthday.

It was insured for $1,250,000 and was sent to England.  It is said that detectives from London protected a fake version of the diamond, while it made its way to London by steamboat, as a diversionary tactic.  In reality, it was sent to London in a plain box via parcel post!

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