Famous Diamonds in the World I.

The Régent

Discovered: 1698
Weight: 140.64 carats
Owner: France (Displayed at Louvre)

A truly historic diamond discovered in 1701 by an Indian slave near Golconda, it weighed 410 carats in the rough. A wonderful stone of Indian origin, this was origially known as the Pitt Diamond after Thomas Pitt who aquired it after 1701 under circumstances that remain murky to this day. He claimed to pay £20,000 for it and it cost £5000 and took 2 years to cut.
It was cut into a cushion shaped brilliant of 140.50 carats and, until it was sold to the Duke of Orleans, Regent of France when Louis XV was a boy-at that time in 1717, was called The Pitt. It was then renamed The Régent and set in the crown that Louis XV wore at his coronation.
After being stolen in 1792 it was recovered a year later and became The National Diamond of France.
After the French revolution, it was owned by Napoleon Bonaparte who set it in the hilt of his sword. It is now on display in the Louvre.

The Hope Diamond

Discovered: 1812
Weight: 45.52 carats
Owner: Smithsonian Natural History Museum
Estimated value: $200,000,000

The unusual and strikingly beautiful Blue diamond that became the Hope, appeared in Europe in 1669 and is believed to be from Golconda. In its original state it is believed to have weighed 110.5 metric carats.
It aquired its name from Henry Philip Pope a banker, It was displayed in 1851 and 1855 but was sold in 1901. It was sold again in 1909 and again in 1910, by Cartier who had repoished it and set it.The new owner, a Mrs McLean immediately had the stone blessed. At her death in 1947 it was valued at $176,920 Harry Winston purchased the stone in 1949 and he presented it to the Smithsonian in 1958.
The Hope Diamond is 45.52 carats, and it is supposed to be cursed.

Kooh-I-Noor

Discovered: 1304
Weight: 108.93 carats
Owner: British Royal Family

Kooh-I-Nor means mount of light, this precious stone has a longest history for an extant stone. In those ancient times possession of such a gem symbolized the power of an empire.
In 14th century it was stated to be valued at half the daily expense of the whole world. It arrived in England in 1850 and was presented to Queen Victoria on 3rd of July. It originally weighed 186carats(190metric). and took 38days to cut to its present form. It is currently an Oval Brilliant of 108.93metric carats.

In 1911 a new crown was made for the coronation of Queen Mary with the Koh-i-Noor as the center stone. In 1937, it was transferred to the crown of Queen Elizabeth I. for her coronation. It is now on display with the British Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.

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