The 24 Most Important Diamonds in History

 

Size, History, Master Cutters and Present Locations

Diamonds have fascinated humanity for centuries. Some became symbols of royal power, others transformed the science of diamond cutting, and a few achieved legendary status because of their extraordinary size and rarity.

The following list combines size, historical importance, rarity and influence on the diamond industry.

1. Cullinan Diamond

Rough Weight: 3,106.75 carats
Found: South Africa, 1905
Polished By: Joseph Asscher
Current Location: British Crown Jewels

The Cullinan remains the largest gem quality rough diamond ever discovered. It was cut into nine principal diamonds and 96 smaller stones. The largest, Cullinan I, weighs 530.2 carats and remains one of the world’s most famous diamonds.

Estimated Value Today: US$2 billion+ (insurance estimates vary greatly).

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2. Golden Jubilee Diamond

Polished Weight: 545.67 carats
Found: South Africa
Polished By: Gabriel Tolkowsky
Current Location: Thailand Royal Treasury

The largest faceted gem quality diamond in the world.

Estimated Value: US$100 million to US$250 million.

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3. The Incomparable

Polished Weight: 407.48 carats
Found: Democratic Republic of Congo
Current Location: Private ownership

A fancy brownish yellow diamond renowned for its size and unusual triangular shape.

Estimated Value: US$20 million to US$50 million.

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4. Cullinan I (Great Star of Africa)

Weight: 530.2 carats
Current Location: Sovereign’s Sceptre, British Crown Jewels.

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5. Cullinan II (Second Star of Africa)

Weight: 317.4 carats
Current Location: Imperial State Crown.

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6. Centenary Diamond

Weight: 273.85 carats
Found: Premier Mine, South Africa
Polished By: Master cutters employed by De Beers

One of the most perfect large diamonds ever cut.

Estimated Value: US$100 million+.

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7. Koh-i-Noor

Weight: 105.6 carats
Current Location: British Crown Collection

Perhaps the most famous diamond in history, originating in India and passing through Mughal, Persian, Afghan and British hands.

Estimated Value: Effectively priceless.

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8. Hope Diamond

Weight: 45.52 carats
Current Location: Smithsonian Institution

The world’s most famous blue diamond.

Estimated Value: US$250 million to US$350 million.

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9. Lesedi La Rona

Rough Weight: 1,109 carats
Found: Botswana

One of the largest gem quality rough diamonds ever discovered. Purchased by Laurence Graff for US$53 million.

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10. Sewelô

Rough Weight: 1,758 carats
Found: Botswana

Second largest rough diamond ever recovered. Acquired by Louis Vuitton and HB Antwerp.

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11. Excelsior

Rough Weight: 995.2 carats
Found: South Africa

Largest diamond before the discovery of the Cullinan. Cut by the Asscher family.

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12. Lesotho Promise

Rough Weight: 603 carats
Current Location: Cut into 26 diamonds by Graff.

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13. Regent Diamond

Weight: 140.64 carats
Current Location: Louvre Museum

One of the finest historic diamonds in existence.

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14. Orlov Diamond

Weight: 189.6 carats
Current Location: Russian Diamond Fund

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15. Daria-i-Noor

Weight: Approximately 182 carats
Current Location: Iranian Crown Jewels.

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16. Tiffany Yellow Diamond

Weight: 128.54 carats
Current Location: Tiffany & Co.

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17. Taylor-Burton Diamond

Weight: 69.42 carats

Purchased by Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor.

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18. Dresden Green

Weight: 41 carats
Current Location: Dresden Treasury, Germany

One of the world’s largest natural green diamonds.

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19. Pink Star

Weight: 59.60 carats

World auction record holder among diamonds.

Sale Price: US$71.2 million.

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20. Wittelsbach-Graff

Weight: 31.06 carats

Rare deep blue historic diamond.

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21. Moussaieff Red

Weight: 5.11 carats

Largest known red diamond.

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22. Oppenheimer Blue

Weight: 14.62 carats

One of the most valuable blue diamonds ever sold.

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23. The Enigma

The Enigma diamond

Weight: 555.55 carats

Largest faceted black diamond ever sold publicly.

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24. Black Falcon

Weight: 612.34 carats
Polished By: Peter Herbosch

The largest cut black diamond known today.

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The Most Valuable Diamonds Today

Diamond	Estimated Value
Cullinan Collection	US$2 billion+
Hope Diamond	US$250m to US$350m
Golden Jubilee	US$100m to US$250m
Centenary	US$100m+
Pink Star	Sold for US$71.2m
Lesedi La Rona Rough	US$53m sale
Oppenheimer Blue	US$57.5m sale
Koh-i-Noor	Priceless

DCLA Commentary

The greatest diamonds are not always the largest. The Cullinan remains the most important diamond ever recovered because it transformed royal jewellery and demonstrated the highest standards of large diamond cutting. The Koh-i-Noor shaped centuries of political history, while the Hope Diamond became the world’s most famous coloured diamond.

From the Asscher family’s revolutionary work on the Cullinan in 1908 to Gabriel Tolkowsky’s masterpiece cutting of the Golden Jubilee, these extraordinary stones represent the pinnacle of both nature’s achievement and human craftsmanship. Together they form a unique record of diamond history and remain benchmarks for gemological excellence today.

DCLA Disclaimer: Diamond valuations shown are broad market estimates based on historical sales, insurance valuations, rarity and current market conditions. Many historically significant diamonds are considered priceless because they are held in national collections, museums or royal treasuries and would be unlikely ever to be offered for public sale.

Botswana and Angola Governments Join WFDB as Industry Seeks Closer Producer Links

 

The governments of Botswana and Angola have officially become affiliated members of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses in a significant move that strengthens ties between major diamond producing nations and the global trading sector.

The announcement was made on 18 May during the WFDB International Summit held in Gaborone.

Although neither country currently operates a fully established standalone diamond bourse, both nations have sought representation within the WFDB due to the critical role diamonds play in their economies. Botswana remains the world’s second largest producer of natural diamonds, while Angola continues to expand its position as a major African diamond producer and trading hub.

This marks the first time governments have been admitted into the WFDB, which represents the world’s leading diamond bourses and trading centres. Botswana and Angola have initially been granted affiliate membership status, with both countries expected to participate as full WFDB members at the World Diamond Congress 2026 in Singapore this July.

Bogolo Kenewendo, Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, said the membership demonstrates the country’s commitment to international co operation, responsible industry growth, and strengthening the position of natural diamonds in an increasingly competitive market shaped by synthetic stones.

For Botswana, direct engagement with the trading community is expected to enhance collaboration around transparency, traceability, and the differentiation of natural diamonds from lab grown products.

Diamantino Azevedo, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, described the move as an important step in deepening Angola’s engagement with the international diamond trade while supporting broader industry collaboration. Angola has spent several years developing plans for its own diamond exchange as part of wider reforms aimed at modernising the country’s diamond sector.

Kimberley Process Faces Renewed Criticism Ahead of Mumbai Meeting

Meanwhile, the Kimberley Process has come under renewed pressure from civil society groups ahead of last week’s intersessional meeting in Mumbai.

The Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition issued a strongly worded assessment criticising what it described as another failed reform cycle. The group argued that the KP continues to struggle with redefining conflict diamonds, addressing compliance concerns, and delivering meaningful transparency measures.

Farai Maguwu, vice coordinator of the KP Civil Society Coalition, said the natural diamond industry often focuses on competition from lab grown diamonds while failing to confront long standing structural issues within the sector itself.

He stated that the Kimberley Process must move beyond “superficial marketing adjustments” and instead become more transparent, accountable, and capable of responding to modern diamond related abuses.

However, World Diamond Council president Ronnie VanderLinden offered a far more optimistic assessment following the conclusion of the meeting.

VanderLinden praised the co operation shown by participants and said the KP demonstrated its ability to work through difficult issues under pressure. He also commended India’s leadership and its focus on the “3Cs” vision of Confidence, Credibility, and Compliance.

He added that the industry must now find the determination to modernise the definition of conflict diamonds so it better reflects current global realities and expectations surrounding responsible sourcing and ethical trade.

Source: DCLA

Steep Rise in De Beers Rough Production

 

De Beers says rough diamond production increased by 17% in the first three months of 2026, to 7.1 million carats.

The increase was largely driven by the release of stockpiled ore at Gahcho Kue, in Canada, (up 163%) and higher underground volumes at Venetia in South Africa (up 53%).

The loss-making miner said, however, that trading conditions remained “challenged” due to ongoing industry, geopolitical and tariff headwinds.

Rough sales at the two sights held during the quarter saw revenue rise, year-on-year by almost 25% to $648 million, although average per carat prices fell 19% to $101.

Production guidance for 2026 remains unchanged at 21-26 million carats, the company said in its Production Report for the First Quarter of 2026, published on 28 April.  

Actual rough production was 24.7 million carats in 2024 and 21.7 million carats in 2025.

Botswana, which accounts for more than two thirds of all De Beers’ diamonds, saw production rise by 5% year-on-year during Q1 2026.

There was a 12% drop in Namibia, due to scheduled maintenance on two vessels at Debmarine Namibia and the of decommissioning two vessels.

There was 53% production rise in South Africa, largely due to increased processing of underground ore from Venetia, and a 163% increase in Canada due to the planned release of ore from a new area of Gahcho Kue.

Source: DCLA

Production Rises, Prices Fall, and Technology Redefines Trust in Diamonds

 

De Beers Production Up, But the Market Signal Is Misleading

De Beers reported a 17% year-on-year increase in rough diamond production for Q1 2026, reaching 7.1 million carats. At face value, the figure suggests strengthening momentum. However, a deeper analysis reveals a far more measured reality.

The increase is primarily operational, not demand-driven. Output surged 88% quarter-on-quarter, largely due to a rebound from a deliberately reduced Q4 2025 production base. Key contributors included planned ore releases from the Gahcho Kué mine in Canada and higher underground volumes at Venetia in South Africa both outcomes of long-established mine plans rather than responses to improving market conditions.

This distinction is critical. Production growth tied to mine development cycles does not reflect rising consumer demand. Instead, it highlights the timing of extraction phases within capital-intensive, long-term mining programmes.

More telling is the divergence between volume and value. While production rose 17%, De Beers’ average realised prices declined by 19% over the same period. This inverse relationship underscores ongoing softness in the natural diamond market, where increased supply is not being met with corresponding demand.

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Angola Expands Ambitions with Rio Tinto Joint Venture

In a strategic move to expand its diamond sector, Rio Tinto has entered into a joint venture with Angola’s state-owned Endiama to develop the Chiri project.

The new entity, Sociedade Mineira do Chiri, will be majority owned by Rio Tinto (75%), with the remaining stake held by Endiama. Located in Angola’s resource-rich eastern region, the project has already shown promising kimberlite indications following early-stage exploration.

While capital expenditure has yet to be allocated, the initiative reflects Angola’s broader strategy to increase diamond output and attract foreign investment. This comes at a time when global diamond prices remain under pressure, reinforcing the long-term nature of such investments rather than any short-term pricing optimism.

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DiaDNA: A Technological Leap in Diamond Traceability

KP Sanghvi & Sons has introduced DiaDNA, a next-generation traceability platform that represents a significant advancement in diamond authentication.

Unlike traditional methods that rely on inscriptions, documentation, or external markers, DiaDNA analyses the diamond at an atomic level using advanced scanning and artificial intelligence. This process generates a unique structural “fingerprint” inherent to the stone itself immutable and impossible to replicate.

Each fingerprint is securely stored in a cloud-based system, allowing verification at any stage of the supply chain, from manufacturing through to retail. The technology enables:

• Independent, real-time authentication
• Enhanced provenance tracking
• Reduced reliance on fragmented paperwork
• Greater transparency for consumers and compliance teams

Fully integrated into KP Sanghvi’s Surat operations since 2024, DiaDNA signals a broader industry shift toward verifiable, data-driven provenance. As expectations around ethical sourcing and transparency continue to rise, such innovations are likely to become central to maintaining trust in natural diamonds.

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Market Perspective

The Q1 2026 landscape presents a clear narrative: increased production does not equate to increased demand. While miners continue to execute long-term operational strategies, pricing pressures persist across the market.

At the same time, structural shifts are underway. Nations like Angola are positioning for future supply growth, while technological innovation exemplified by DiaDNA is redefining how diamonds are tracked, authenticated, and ultimately trusted.

For the trade, the message is precise: understanding the difference between operational supply growth and genuine market demand has never been more important.

Source: DCLA