ROMANCING THE STONE
Diamond legends sparkle, like the ‘white fire’ in the heart of each stone.
The first diamond engagement ring
It’s thought that Mary of Burgundy, also known as Mary the Rich, popularised the diamond ring as the symbol of ‘eternal love’ that it is today. She was presented with a diamond engagement ring by the Archduke of Austria, tying the knot in 1477. In the 1930s, the “diamond is forever” advertising campaign by a global diamond company made the not-so-humble diamond the only stone to ‘pop the question’ with.
A diamond engraved in history
The Shah Diamond is shaped into a casket, and the only stone in the world on whose facets are engraved its entire history. Three separate inscriptions allow us to trace the stone century by century to India. The 352ct Timur Ruby, which is part of the Her Royal Majesty’s personal collection, is also inscribed with the names of the previous owners, who were all Mughal emperors.
Thrown out the window
Discovered in South Africa in 1905, the Cullinan Diamond is the largest diamond ever mined. When first examined the superintendent proclaimed, “That’s no diamond, it’s a crystal!”, and promptly threw it out the window! Sure enough, a second examination proved it was indeed a diamond. The Cullinan Diamond was cut into nine major gems and 96 smaller ones... the largest stone is the 520.22ct pear-shaped diamond now set in the Royal Sceptre of the British Crown Jewels.
Cursed stones that sparkle legends
The Hope Diamond is famous for the fanciful stories of ill luck it brings to those who own it. Apparently, the original 115ct gem was stolen from the eye of a statue of a Hindu goddess. The thief that was supposedly torn apart by wild dogs after he sold it to King Louis XIV who in fact lived to the age of 84. The stone, which had been re-cut into a heart-shaped pendant, is now housed safely in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Two other famous, cursed diamonds are the Koh-i-Nur or “Mountain of Light” that rests in the Tower of London, and the Orlov Diamond – nestled atop the Imperial Sceptre in Moscow.
