Alexandria Wyckoff
While it may seem that jewels are just pieces of jewelry, many of them have played important roles in society and have rich histories. Whether it’s being plundered from conquered lands, purchased as gifts, or even having cursed backstories, all of these famous jewels in history showcase both the jewels’ beauty and their stories. Below are six of these famous jewels in history, each one more stunning than the last.
6. The Graff Pink
Starting our list of the most famous jewels in history is The Graff Pink. In 2010, Laurence Graff bought a 24.78-carat pink diamond, aiming to find the jewel’s true potential. Reshaping the diamond and removing 20 natural flaws, Graff renamed the jewel The Graff Pink. It is now the most flawless pink diamond in the world with vivid color and a weight of 23.88 carats.
5. Cursed Black Orlov Diamond
Fifth on our list of the most famous jewels in history is the Black Orlov Diamond. This jewel has a cursed past that works well with its gun-metal hue. While the origin story is somewhat unreliable, the curse is undeniable as the diamond is said to have caused the death of its thief and the suicides of three of its owners. They were a Russian princess named Nadia Vygin-Orlov, one of her relatives, and JW Paris. Paris even tried cutting the gem into three pieces to break the curse, but he still committed suicide.
4. The Star of Asia
Next on our list of the most famous jewels in history is the Star of Asia. The jewel was found in the ancient Mogok mines in Burma, and is said to be one of the crown jewels of India’s Maharajah of Jodhpur. The gem comes in at an impressive 330 carats and is known for its six-rayed star at the center of the sapphire. It is now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
3. The Dresden Green
Rounding out the top three most famous jewels in history is the Dresden Green, which is the largest natural green diamond in the world. The jewel dates back to the early 18th century, when Friedrich Augustus I of Saxony paid 400,000 thaler for the gem. During that time, the sum was equal to four tons of gold. The green diamond is now on display at Dresden Castle in Germany.
2. Cursed Hope Diamond
Second on our list of the most famous jewels in history is the Hope Diamond, featuring a long and possibly cursed history. The diamond is said to have originated in India and was first owned by King Louis XIV of France in 1668. Some believe Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette fell victim to the curse, and the diamond was stolen during the French Revolution. It was later passed on to Evalyn Walsh McLean in 1912, and two of her children are said to have died while she was wearing it. In 1958, Harry Winston, the current owner, donated it to the Smithsonian, where it now resides, protected in a glass case.
1. Koh-i-Noor Diamond
Last but not least on our list of the most famous jewels in history is the Koh-i-Noor Diamond. Some claims believe the diamond was originally 793 carats and was passed down by rulers throughout the world for more than 5,000 years. After being shaved down to 109 carats, the diamond was presented to Queen Victoria after Great Britain conquered the Punjab state of India. It remains in the British royal family to this day, housed in the Tower of London, in the 1937 coronation crown of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.