Ranking of Notable Diamonds for Jewelry Experts

Ranking of Notable Diamonds for Jewelry Experts

Top Five Historically Significant Diamonds Shaping Gemmological Research

The world of diamonds is not just about sparkle and shine, but also about scientific discovery and understanding. Here are five historically significant diamonds that have contributed significantly to gemmological research and the understanding of diamond properties.

1. The Tiffany Diamond

Discovered in 1877 in South Africa, the Tiffany Diamond is a 128.54-carat Fancy Yellow diamond. Known for its unprecedented 82 facets, this stone showcases innovations in maximizing optical performance in diamonds. Its rarity and cutting technique have been studied extensively, contributing to understanding faceting and light performance in diamonds.

1. The Moussaieff Red Diamond

The largest certified Fancy Red diamond, weighing 5.11 carats, originated from a 13.9-carat rough found in Brazil in the 1990s. Red diamonds are extraordinarily rare, and their color is attributed to lattice distortions caused by immense geological pressure. This diamond has been central to research on lattice deformation and the origin of diamond colors, offering deep insight into diamond formation under extreme conditions.

1. The Winston Red Diamond

A 2.33-carat Fancy Red diamond, dated back to at least 1938, has helped gemmologists understand the structural and chemical reasons behind red diamond rarity. Scientific imaging revealed it contains a special nitrogen type and a deformed crystal lattice with stacked pink to red layers.

1. The Dresden Green Diamond

The largest and most famous green diamond, sourced from the historic Golconda mines, exemplifies the study of color in diamonds due to natural irradiation. Green diamonds' coloring mechanism involves exposure to natural radiation causing changes in the diamond’s atomic structure, which has been critical in gemstone color research.

1. The De Beers Millennium Star

Although its whereabouts are not detailed, historically it is known as one of the largest flawless diamonds and has advanced understanding of the upper limits of diamond purity and the challenges in cutting large flawless stones.

These diamonds stand out not only for their size, beauty, and historical importance but also because their unique characteristics have driven scientific inquiry and enhanced gemmological knowledge about diamond cutting techniques, crystal lattice structure, origin of colors, and the physical processes influencing diamond properties. The studies of these stones often rely on advanced imaging and chemical analysis techniques, deepening understanding of diamond formation and gem quality factors.

Notable Diamonds Today

• The Hope Diamond, a 45.52 carat Fancy Dark Grayish-Blue diamond, is housed in the Smithsonian Institution. Studies of the Hope Diamond and other boron doped natural blue diamonds have revealed that the presence of boron in diamonds is related to sea water on the surface of our planet.
• The Cullinan Diamond, discovered in 1905 in South Africa, is the largest diamond ever discovered with a rough weight of 3,106ct. It was cut into 105 stones, with the two largest being Cullinan I (530.20cts) and Cullinan II (317.40cts).
• The Dresden Green Diamond, a rare Type IIa pear-shaped natural green diamond, is housed in the Green Vaults of Dresden in Germany. It played a crucial role in studying how to identify whether the green color of a diamond was natural or not.
• The present whereabouts of the Deepdene Diamond are unknown, but there are indications it may have come to rest at one of the Science Museums in Philadelphia.
• The Moussaieff Red Diamond is still owned by Moussaieff Jewellers Ltd., but is occasionally loaned for display. Its presence may be seen as demonstrable proof of mantle convection currents due to its rarity alongside pink and red diamonds.

The journey of these diamonds continues to inspire and educate, offering valuable insights into the world of diamonds and the science behind their formation and properties.

1. The Tiffany Diamond's 82 facets and rarity have been studied in depth, shedding light on faceting and light performance in diamonds, contributing to the field of gemmological research.
2. The Moussaieff Red Diamond's extraordinarily rare red color and lattice deformation have offered deep insights into diamond formation under extreme conditions, playing a significant role in research on lattice deformation and the origin of diamond colors.
3. The Winston Red Diamond's special nitrogen type and deformed crystal lattice have been instrumental in understanding the structural and chemical reasons behind red diamond rarity.
4. The Dresden Green Diamond's natural irradiation-induced green color has plunged researchers into the depths of gemstone color research, exemplifying the study of color in diamonds.
5. The De Beers Millennium Star, despite its unknown whereabouts, has advanced understanding of the upper limits of diamond purity and the challenges in cutting large flawless stones.
6. The Hope Diamond's connection to sea water on the surface of our planet was discovered through studies involving boron doped natural blue diamonds, adding to general news about the earth's geological history.
7. The Cullinan Diamond, the largest ever discovered, offers valuable insights into the process of cutting large diamonds, with its largest pieces, Cullinan I and Cullinan II, being held in museums today.
8. The present whereabouts of the Deepdene Diamond are unknown, but its influence in the field of education and self-development may be found in the science museums where indications suggest it has rest, helping to understand the physical processes influencing diamond properties.

Read also: