The Lesotho Legend Diamond: $50 Million
The Lesotho Legend Diamond was discovered in the Kingdom of Lesotho, Africa, in 2018. Weighing an extraordinary 910 carats, it ranks as the fifth-largest diamond ever found. Its remarkable size is matched by its exceptional quality, with the stone classified as a D color, Type IIa, earning the highest ratings for both color and quality.
Soon after its discovery, the diamond was purchased by a mysterious buyer for $40 million, equivalent to around $50 million in 2024.
Lesedi La Rona: $68 Million
Weighing a staggering 1,109-carat, the magnificent Lesedi La Rona diamond is almost the size of a tennis ball. The stone is believed to have been formed almost 3 billion years ago in Botswana, and its name translates to "Our Light."
In 2017, it sold for $53 million, equivalent to around $68 million in today's money. The buyer was Laurence Graff, chairman of the London-based jeweler Graff Diamonds, who acquired it privately after the diamond failed to sell at auction.
Regent Diamond: $72 Million
The 140.64-carat Regent Diamond is currently owned by the French government and displayed at the Louvre in Paris. Legend has it that the diamond was discovered in India in 1698 by an enslaved individual, who was later killed by an English sea captain.
Said to be cursed, the diamond eventually found its way into the collection of Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, the French Regent, and was later seized by the state following the French Revolution. Today, its estimated value is around $72 million.
Constellation Diamond: $83 Million
Weighing an enormous 813 carats, the Constellation Diamond holds the world record for the most expensive rough diamond, selling for $63.1 million in 2016, equivalent to $83 million today.
The largest diamond found in over a century, it was mined in 2015 by Lucara Diamond Corp at its Karowe mine in Botswana and later purchased by jeweler De Grisogono.
Harrods Diamond: $90 Million
In 2016, the luxury London department store Harrods revealed its namesake 228.31-carat diamond, which had been kept in the store's vaults for years before being put up for sale. The diamond is believed to be worth an impressive $90 million.
De Beers Centenary Diamond: $100 Million
Unearthed in South Africa’s Cullinan Mine in 1986, this stunning 273.85-carat diamond ranks among the largest cut white diamonds in the world.
Though still referred to as the De Beers Diamond, the jeweler De Beers sold the stone to an anonymous collector several years ago.
De Beers Millennium Star: $100 Million
While De Beers may have sold its Centenary Diamond, the company still owns the stunning 203.04-carat Millennium Star.
Discovered in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1990, this remarkable diamond was precisely cut using lasers. It was first unveiled in October 1999 as the centerpiece of the De Beers Millennium Diamond Collection.
Jacob Diamond: $150 Million
The Jacob Diamond was discovered in 1884 and offered for sale by gemstone trader Alexander Malcolm Jacob in 1891. The Nizam of Hyderabad at the time, Mahboob Ali Khan, purchased the stone, and it eventually became a paperweight for the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan.
In 1995, the Indian government reportedly acquired the diamond from the Nizam's trust for around $13 million. Today, its estimated value is approximately $150 million.
Koh-i-Noor Diamond: Priceless
A standout piece of England's renowned Crown Jewels, the legendary Koh-i-Noor ("mountain of light") diamond was set in the late Queen Mother's Crown. Discovered in the 13th century, this priceless 105.602-carat gem was first owned by the Kakatiya dynasty and controversially transferred to Queen Victoria in 1849 under questionable circumstances.
Since 1947, the Indian government has been advocating for its return.
Cullinan II (Second Star of Africa) Diamond: Priceless
The Cullinan II, also known as the Second Star of Africa, was cut from the Cullinan Diamond, which weighed an astonishing 3,106.75 carats in its rough form. Mined in South Africa in 1905, the magnificent diamond was presented to King Edward VII of Britain.
Considered priceless, the 317.4-carat Cullinan II is prominently set at the front of the Imperial State Crown.
Cullinan I (Great Star of Africa) Diamond: Priceless
The 530.2-carat Cullinan I, also known as the Great Star of Africa, holds the title of the world’s most valuable cut diamond ever sold and is regarded as priceless. However, some experts estimate its worth could exceed $2 billion.
Cut from the original rough Cullinan diamond, it is set at the top of the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and is considered the most prized possession in the English Crown Jewels.
Please email FCD Invest at info@fcdinvest.diamonds to discuss your personalized long-term investment strategy.
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