The Kohinoor is a historic diamond that dates back to at least the 13th century, and it is said to have belonged to many famous rulers throughout history. It was originally owned by the Kakatiya dynasty, who ruled much of what is now Andhra Pradesh in India.
After that, it was taken by several other rulers, including Sultans of the Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Afghans, Sikhs, and the British East India Company. Eventually, in 1849, the diamond was presented to Queen Victoria as a token of surrender by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire.
After her death, it was passed down to succeeding British monarchs, and was last worn by Queen Elizabeth II in its current form. The legal ownership of the diamond is disputed among India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, but the UK retains possession of the stone.
Table of Contents
Which is the No 1 diamond?
There is no single diamond that is considered to be the “No. 1 diamond,” as rankings or ratings for diamonds are subjective and based on different criteria. Many factors, such as its size, purity, clarity, color and cut, influence a diamond’s value, which can lead to different opinions about which diamond is the best.
That said, some of the world’s most famous diamonds are among the largest and most valuable stones ever discovered, including the Cullinan diamond, the Hope diamond, the Lesotho Promise and the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Each of these incredible diamonds is distinct in its own way and is considered among the most beautiful and valuable stones in the world.
Which is most expensive diamond?
The most expensive diamond ever discovered is the Oppenheimer Blue, which was sold at auction for an incredible $57. 5 million in 2016. Originally weighing in at an impressive 14. 62 carats, theOppenheimer Blue is a stunning Fancy Vivid Blue diamond.
It is a rectangular-cut diamond of type IIb, and has been certified as both internally and externally flawless. The diamond got its name from its previous owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer, the former chairman of the De Beers Diamond Corporation and descendent of the famous Oppenheimer diamond family.
It is currently in the possession of an unknown private buyer, and its current location remains a mystery.
Which diamond is quality?
When selecting a diamond, it is important to take the quality of the stone into consideration in order to ensure that you get the best quality for your money. Quality diamonds have few or no flaws, sparkle brightly, and are cut to the proper proportions.
The characteristics that must be considered in order to determine the quality of a diamond include the carat, color, clarity, and cut.
The carat is the unit of measurement of a diamond’s weight. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams and the weight is often abbreviated as “ct”, for example, 2. 0ct. Diamonds of higher carats are usually more expensive, but the price may vary based on the other characteristics.
The color of the diamond is important in establishing the quality, since it affects the amount of brilliance and sparkle the stone will have. The best diamonds will be completely colorless, while others may have a yellow tint.
The scale of color goes from D (colorless) to Z (deep yellow).
The clarity of the diamond is impacted by the presence of internal flaws (called inclusions) and external blemishes. A diamond that has no inclusions or blemishes is worth more than one with visible imperfections.
The clarity grades range from F (flawless) to I3 (heavily included).
The cut is how the diamond is proportionally crafted to reflect the light that passes through it and gives the diamond its sparkle. Poorly cut diamonds will appear dull and lack brilliance, while well-cut diamonds may appear brighter and more vibrant.
These characteristics must be taken into consideration when selecting a diamond in order to determine the overall quality. Diamonds that have a high carat, colorless clarity, and well-cut will often be of higher quality than those with lower carat, color, and clarity grades.
Are VVS diamonds the best?
When it comes to buying a diamond, there is no single ‘best’ option. Everyone has their own personal preferences, and there are many factors to consider when making a diamond purchase. In terms of clarity, Very Very Slightly (VVS) diamonds are among the highest level in terms of clarity.
VVS diamonds are graded and have minimal inclusions that are usually invisible to the naked eye. This type of diamond also reflects light better, often giving the diamond a vibrant sparkle. The downside is that VVS diamonds can often be more expensive than lower grade diamonds.
However, some people prefer the look of slightly included diamonds which often appear just as sparkly but cost less. Ultimately, the decision of which diamond to purchase is up to each individual and their own personal preferences.
Is Kohinoor the richest diamond in the world?
No, the Kohinoor is not the richest diamond in the world. In fact, it is estimated to be only worth an approximate $2 billion. While this sum might seem quite large, there are several diamonds that have been found to have greater value than the Kohinoor.
The Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905 is the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever discovered, with a value of approximately $2 billion. The Hope Diamond, found in India in 1668 is estimated to be worth $250 million.
The Centenary Diamond is another large diamond discovered, with a value of $100 million. Additionally, the first recorded sale of an auction house that includes a diamond was in 1987, and the diamond was almost 80 carats and sold for $16.
5 million, which is considered to be far richer than the Kohinoor.
Is there any diamond bigger than Koh-i-Noor?
Yes, there are larger diamonds known than the Koh-i-Noor. The largest cut diamond in the world is the Cullinan Diamond, which was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and weighed 3,106. 75 carats in its uncut state.
It was gifted to King Edward VII in 1907 and was cut into 9 major stones and 96 minor stones, the two largest of which are set in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, weighing 530. 20 carats and 317.
40 carats, respectively.
The second largest diamond in the world is the Golden Jubilee diamond, which was discovered in South Africa in 1985. At 545. 67 carats, it is the largest faceted diamond in the world, and currently resides in the Royal Thai Palace in Bangkok.
The second largest cut diamond is the Incomparable diamond, discovered in 1980 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It weighs 407. 48 carats and is the third largest diamond in the world. This diamond is currently owned by a private collector.
How much is Koh-i-Noor diamond worth?
The Koh-i-Noor diamond is believed to be one of the oldest and most famous diamonds in the world. Besides being known for its beauty and apparent mystical properties, it is also renowned for its immense monetary value.
The current estimated worth of the diamond is around US$100-200 million dollars, though its actual market value is much higher due to its tremendous historical significance and rarity. While it was once believed to be the “greatest diamond in the world,” it has since lost its coveted status and is now only considered as one of the world’s most expensive gemstones.
Nevertheless, its immense monetary value continues to place the Koh-i-Noor diamond at the very top of the list of the world’s most valuable diamonds.
Can India get Kohinoor back?
India has long sought to reclaim the Koh-i-Noor diamond on numerous occasions, with the most recent efforts culminating in a Supreme Court petition in November 2016. However, successive British governments have so far refused to accede to the requests from India, citing the legal ownership of the diamond and the arguments associated with it.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond is a large 105 carat diamond which was once said to be the world’s largest single diamond. It is believed to have originated in the diamond mines of Golconda in what is now southern India, and is currently part of the British Crown Jewels.
The diamond has a long and convoluted history, and was passed through numerous royal hands across the Indian subcontinent before eventually coming into the possession of the British East India Company.
The British claim that the acquisition of the diamond was legally legitimated by the Treaty of Lahore (1845) after it was ceded by the last Sikh Maharajah Ranjit Singh. Subsequently, Queen Victoria gifted it to Queen Alexandra in 1849, who added it to the Crown Jewels.
Since then, India has sought to reclaim the diamond, on the grounds of the colonial legacy and the diamond’s significance to the country’s history. However, the British government has so far refuted these claims, citing the already existing legal papers that support the ownership of the diamond by the British monarch.
At this point in time, it seems highly unlikely that India will be able to successfully reclaim the Koh-i-Noor diamond. Despite the Indian Supreme Court’s petition, the diamond will likely remain the property of the British Crown and the subsequent ruling that the diamond is an ordinary “gift”, the British government reportedly reiterated it will not return the diamond to its country of origin.
