Want to know which are the largest diamonds ever discovered? White, yellow, pink, brown, blue, red, green… diamonds come in many colors, shapes, and carats, but all are equally fascinating to humankind. Known and valued since ancient times, these gemstones are not only precious, but also useful. In fact, the carbon allotrope is employed for industrial purposes due to its extreme hardness and high thermal conductivity, which is where the phrase ‘diamonds are forever’ gets its scientific meaning from.
But, let’s face it, diamonds main appeal to us is their beauty. Almost hypnotizing, these gemstones are the most valuable and coveted in the world; so much so, that they have been entangled in numerous conflicts and controversies. If you’ve watched the film Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou, you know that the diamond mining industry’s practices are indeed a contentious issue.
For those of you who are not familiar with the so called ‘blood diamonds’ or ‘conflict diamonds’, they are those mined in a war zone and then sold to finance the operations of a revolutionary group or a warlord’s activity. This type of mining and trading takes place in Central and West African countries, where the political instability since post-colonial times favored such activities. If you are further interested in the mining industry, you should check out our list on The Biggest Mines in the World: From Barrick Gold Corporation (USA) (ABX) to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX).
In compiling this countdown of the largest diamonds ever discovered, we decided to rank diamonds by their weight as rough stones; that is to say, in the form they were originally found, before being cut into smaller pieces and sold. Although ‘diamond’ comes from a Greek word that means ‘unbreakable’, they can be cut and shaped. As a matter of fact, diamond cutting is a scientific discipline, even an artistic workmanship that has been perfecting its techniques for hundreds of years. The goal of diamond cutting is to achieve the maximum reflection of light, as well as preserving the largest portion of the stone possible.
Are you curious about the largest diamonds ever discovered thus far? Let’s take a look at the countdown!
10. The Jonker
Origin: South Africa
Found in: 1934
Original owner: Ernest Oppenheimer
Current owner: Anonymus
Cut by: Lazare Kaplan
Color: colorless, D-flawless
Estimated value: $2.25 million
Weight: 726 carats
9. The Vargas
Origin: Brazil
Found in: 1938
Current owner: Harry Winston
Cut by: Adrian Graselly
Color: colorless
Cut: Emerald cut
Weight: 729.6 carats
8. The Golden Jubilee
Origin: South Africa
Found in: 1985
Original owner: Herny Ho
Current owner: King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand
Cut by: Gabriel Tolkowsky
Color: Unnamed brown
Cut: Fire rose cushion cut
Estimated value: $4-$12 million
Weight: 755 carats
7. The Woyie River
Origin: Sierra Leone
Found in: 1945
Color: colorless, D-flawless
Cut: Emerald
Weight: 770 carats
6. Millennium Star
Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
Found in: 1990
Original owner: André Action Diakité Jackson (JFPI Corporation)
Current owner: De Beers Group
Cut by: Steinmetz Group
Color: Grade D colorless
Cut: Pear brilliant
Estimated value: $160 million
Weight: 777 carats
5. Incomparable Diamond
Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
Found in: 1989
Original owner: De Beers Group
Current owner: Louis Glick
Cut by: Marvin Samuels
Color: Fancy brownish-yellow
Cut: Kite Shape
Estimated value: $12 million
Weight: 890 carats
4. Star of Sierra Leone
Origin: Sierra Leone
Found in: 1972
Original owner: Harry Winston
Cut by: Harry Vos
Color: colorless
Cut: Pear cut
Weight: 969 carats
3. Excelsior Diamond
Origin: South Africa
Found in: 1893
Original owner: assorted
Current owner: assorted
Cut by: Asscher
Color: G-colored
Cut: assorted, pear shape
Estimated value: $2 million
Weight: 995.2 carats
2. Cullinan Diamond
Origin: South Africa
Found in: 1905
Original owner: Premier Diamond Mining Co.
Current owner: British Crown
Cut by: Asscher Brothers
Color: white
Cut: assorted (cuchions, pears, marquises)
Estimated value: $2 billion
Weight: 3106.75 carats
1. Sergio
Origin: Brazil
Found in: 1893
Color: black, carbonado
Weight: 3167 carats
