A diamond is among the most valuable natural resources on the planet. Their rarity and exceptional beauty have made them a sought-after treasure for anyone fortunate enough to hold them, regardless of time or culture. A magnificent diamond may be found in anything from ancient royal treasures to modern engagement rings, eliciting awe and appreciation for the natural world's magnificence. Only a few diamonds are so expensive that their value exceeds the GDP of certain tiny countries.
Diamonds are among the most precious stones due to their rarity and dazzling brightness. Because diamonds are so rare, even the discovery of a palm-sized rough stone is a reason for worldwide excitement. You may learn about the biggest diamonds ever discovered in human history by visiting this page. A diamond's carat weight is not the sole way to estimate its size. The length-to-breadth ratio of a diamond, which is also the stone's diameter in millimetres, is used to calculate its size. A one-carat diamond weighs around 0.20 kilogramme.
A little-known fact: To discover a single carat of diamond, miners must unearth up to 250 tonnes of rock. This explains the scarcity and high price of diamonds. Although it is common for a raw diamond to be measured by carat weight when discovered, this is not always the case. Remember this when we discuss the largest diamond in the world, we're talking about its carat weight.
Are there any larger diamonds than this one?
For the record, the Cullinan diamond, which weighed 3,106 carats when unearthed in a South African mine in 1905, is the largest diamond ever discovered. According to folklore, the mine manager mistook the uncut rock for a crystal and threw it out the window since it was so enormous and had such exceptional clarity and a unique blue and white tint. However, the rough stone took some time to transform into the nine brilliant diamonds (and roughly a hundred smaller brilliants) that are now among the most valuable jewels in the royal family's collection.
The name of the stone was inspired by the mining company's chairman, Thomas Cullinan. On January 26, 1905, it was found near Pretoria, South Africa. Its uncut dimensions were 10.1 x 6.35 x 5.9 cm, and its weight was 3,106 metric carats. This diamond is the most renowned in the world due to its incredible blue-white colour and immaculate clarity. It was a challenging effort to cut such a magnificent diamond. For weeks, a team of diamond cutters from Asscher's of Amsterdam pondered on the best technique to split the stone.
Despite the fact that the cleaving groove took four days to build, the diamond was fractured on the first stroke. Joseph Asscher was ultimately able to shatter the stone into two pieces on February 10, 1908. Three men cut and polished nine sizable stones from the original diamond over the course of eight months, averaging 14-hour days. The stones were allocated a number from I to IX, and this numbering system is still in use today. There were also 97 microscopic brilliants and a few unpolished parts created. To honor his predecessor, George V had Cullinan I and II set in the Sovereign's Sceptre and Imperial State Crown.
Both of these stones can still be seen in regalia today. The remaining numbered jewels were held by Asschers as payment for their services. To mark the Union's Inauguration, King Edward VII presented Cullinan VI and VIII to Queen Alexandra, and the South African government purchased the remainder and presented it to Queen Mary in 1910. Her Majesty The Queen acquired them as a donation in 1953. The Cullinan Diamond is believed to be worth $400,000,000. At 621.35 grammes, the rough-cut Cullinan diamond is the world's largest gem-quality diamond. Despite its massive size, there was enough material left over when the 530-carat Star of Africa diamond was sliced.
