Large diamonds are exceptionally rare and only about 80% of all harvested diamonds are gemstone quality. Most of the well-known diamonds that have been deemed famous are not always the highest quality or the most beautiful. The most famous diamonds are also famous because of the story behind the diamond.

The Great Star of Africa is listed as the largest cut diamond ever. It is pear shaped and weighs in at a whopping 530.20 carats. It is part of the royal scepter and is kept along with the other crown jewels in the Tower of London. It was cut from the Cullian, a 3,106 carat diamond crystal that was used to create 96 smaller diamonds. The legend of this diamond suggests that there may have been another half of the Cullian which would have been one impressive sized diamond crystal.

The Orloff diamond is bluish green in color and is an exceptionally pure gem that has an interesting history. The legend goes that the stone started out being a diamond eye of a Hindu idol. It was later stolen by a thief who only took one eye because of his fear of the repercussions. It was passed on to the Russian Count Grigori Orloff. It is currently held in the Diamond Treasury of Russia in Moscow.

The Centenary Diamond was first seen by the world in 1986 and it contains 247 facets and weighs in at 273.85 carats. It is the world’s largest, most modern cut and flawless diamond in existence today. This diamond was crafted over three years. The diamond was unveiled at the Tower of London in 1991. It has never been appraised but is believed to be worth over $100 million dollars.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond was first discovered in the Premier Mine in South Africa in 1966. It was 240.80 carats and was cut into a pear shaped 69.42 diamond. This stone is beyond price because of the famous celebrity who owned it. Richard Burton, the famed actor, bought the diamond for this wife at the time, Elizabeth Taylor. It is said he paid over a million dollars for it. After the death of Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor donated the sale of the stone to charity for $2.8 million dollars and allowed the diamond to go to a museum.

The Regent Diamond is considered one of the most beautiful diamonds ever seen. It was first discovered in 1698 in India. It was finally sold to Philippe II, a French prince, in 1717. The diamond was used in the royal crown and also as an adornment in the hat of Marie Antoinette. It was stolen during the revolution but recovered a short time later. The diamond could be found on Napoleon Bonaparte’s sword until his death. Now you can find it at the Louvre, in the French Royal Treasry.

Diamonds always seem to hold great mystery and mystic. Throughout time, people have desired and cherished this most-precious of all gems. Diamonds and their legends will live on until eternity. Articls by DanforthDiamond.com, your engagement ring experts.