DRESDEN GREEN
41 carats
This almond-shaped stone is the largest apple-green diamond known. Although of Indian origin, nothing was known of it until Frederick Augustus II of Saxony purchased the diamond at the Leipzig Fair in 1743.

The KIMBERLY
55.09 carats
Originally a 490-carat rough, this champagne colored stone named after the Kimberly Mine in South Africa, was cut to 70 carats in 1921, and to its current emerald shape in 1958. The Kimberly was widely exhibited until it was sold to an undisclosed collector from Texas in 1971.

The SULTAN  of  MARROCCO

35.27 carats

Very little is known about this diamond. In 1969, Cartier�s lent this blue-grey diamond to the New York State Museum for their World of Gems exhibition. In 1972 it was sold to a private American collector.

The TIFFANY

128.51 carats

This is known to be the largest golden diamond today and is cut in a unique cushion shape. It was given 90 facets which is 32 more than the standard brilliant cut.  These extra facets give the great yellow diamond the effect of smoldering fire. This unbelievable stone can be viewed on display at Tiffany’s in New York City.

The EUREKA
10.73 carats
As one of the first major diamonds found in South Africa, this stone had been appropriately named. In 1867, a boy found a pebble near the banks of the Orange River. A month later a neighbor offered to buy it but for some reason, the boys mother refused payment and gave the stone to the neighbor. Later the 21 carat rough was cut into this 10.73 brilliant. 

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TRANSVAAL BLUE
25 carats
This blue pear shape was cut from a rough found in the Premier Mine, Transvaal, South Africa. It was once owned by Baumgold Bros., but has been sold since then to an undisclosed buyer.

The OPPENHEIMER
253.7 carats (rough)
This almost perfect yellow crystal was found in the Dutoitspan Mine, Kimberly, South Africa in 1964. It was acquired by Harry Winston, who presented it to the Smithsonian Institution in memory of the late Sir Ernest Oppenheimer of DeBeers Consolidated Mines.

The BLUE HOPE

45.52 carats

More notorious than any other diamond. The Hope was once owned by Louis XIV and was officially designated the 'blue diamond of the crown.' Stolen during the French Revolution, it turned up in London in 1830 and was bought by Henry Philip Hope after whom it is currently named. At that time it acquired its gruesome reputation for bad luck: all the Hope family died in poverty. A similar misfortune befell a later owner, Edward McLean. You can see the Blue Hope today at the Smithsonian in Washington.

The HORTENSIA

20 carats

This peach colored stone was named after Hortense de Beauharnais, Queen of Holland, who was Josephine�s daughter and the step-daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Hortensia had been part of the French Crown Jewels since Louis XIV bought it. You can see the Hortensia on display in the Louvre, Paris.