Diamonds have captivated humanity for centuries, symbolizing wealth, power, and beauty. Among the millions of diamonds mined throughout history, only a select few have earned a place among the largest ever discovered. These colossal gems, often found in remote locations, have inspired awe with their sheer size and brilliance. In this article, we explore the five biggest diamonds ever unearthed, from the legendary Cullinan to the remarkable Excelsior.
The Cullinan Diamond – 3,106 Carats
Discovered in 1905 at the Premier Mine in South Africa, the Cullinan Diamond remains the largest rough diamond ever found. Weighing an astonishing 3,106 carats (1.37 pounds), this extraordinary gemstone was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the mine’s founder.
The Cullinan was later cut into nine major stones and nearly a hundred smaller ones. The largest cut piece, the Cullinan I (530.2 carats), also known as the Great Star of Africa, is set in the British Sovereign’s Scepter, part of the British Crown Jewels. The second-largest, the Cullinan II (317.4 carats), adorns the Imperial State Crown. These diamonds remain some of the most treasured pieces in the world’s royal collections.
The Lesedi La Rona – 1,109 Carats
The Lesedi La Rona, meaning “Our Light” in Botswana’s Tswana language, was discovered in 2015 at the Karowe Mine in Botswana. This 1,109-carat gem-quality diamond is the second-largest rough diamond ever recovered and the largest found in over a century.
What makes the Lesedi La Rona unique is its exceptional transparency and near-colorless nature, making it highly valuable. In 2017, luxury jeweler Graff purchased and cut the diamond into a 302.37-carat square emerald-cut masterpiece, one of the largest D-color diamonds in existence.
The Excelsior Diamond – 995 Carats
Found in 1893 at the Jagersfontein Mine in South Africa, the Excelsior Diamond weighed an impressive 995 carats. At the time of its discovery, it was the largest diamond ever found, only later surpassed by the Cullinan.
Despite its size, the Excelsior suffered an unfortunate fate. Instead of being kept as one giant stone, it was cut into 21 smaller diamonds, the largest of which weighed just 69.8 carats. The decision to cut the diamond into multiple pieces remains controversial, as modern technology could have produced a more significant singular gem.
The Star of Sierra Leone – 968.9 Carats
Discovered in 1972 in Sierra Leone, this 968.9-carat diamond is notable for its remarkable purity and high clarity. It is also one of the largest alluvial diamonds ever recovered, meaning it was found in a riverbed rather than a deep mine.
The rough Star of Sierra Leone was originally cut into 17 individual diamonds, six of which were deemed flawless. The largest of these, a 53.96-carat pear-shaped gem, was later recut to improve clarity, reducing its weight slightly but enhancing its brilliance.
The Incomparable Diamond – 890 Carats
Unlike most of the world’s largest diamonds, the Incomparable Diamond was not found in a traditional mine. Instead, it was discovered in the 1980s by a young girl in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among a pile of discarded mining rubble.
Weighing 890 carats in its rough form, this diamond was later cut into a stunning 407.48-carat shield-shaped gem, named the Golden Canary due to its rare deep yellow hue. Today, it remains one of the largest internally flawless diamonds in the world.
