The World’s Most Famous Pear-Shaped Diamonds

There’s nothing more beautiful than an out of the ordinary diamond cut. It takes an experienced diamond cutter years to master the extraordinary skill of cutting and polishing a diamond to display the perfect balance of fire, brilliance and scintillation.

The 10 Biggest Rough Diamonds Ever Discovered

Deep within the Earth’s mantle, under extreme conditions of heat and pressure spanning billions of years, nature crafted one the most dazzling treasures known to man: diamond. Among them, a rare few stand out, not just for their sparkle, but for their colossal size. From the legendary mines of South Africa to the rich kimberlite […]

The Largest Polished Diamonds in the World

When rough diamonds are cut and polished, they can lose up to 50% of their original size and carat-weight. While finding a large rough diamond is rare on its own, turning it into a high-quality, polished gem of substantial size is an even greater achievement. Formed deep underground over billions of years, diamonds are natural […]

The Biggest Gem-Quality Diamonds Ever Discovered

The Jonker diamond was named after, Johannes Jacobus Jonker and weighs 726 carats. Image courtesy of the Cape Town Diamond Museum.

Ever wondered what the world’s biggest gem-quality diamond discoveries are? These impressive stones aren’t just beautiful, they’re colossal icons that have graced royal crowns and sceptres, broken jewellery sale records, and ‘rocked‘ the global diamond industry. Formed deep within the Earth over billions of years under extreme heat and pressure, the world’s largest gem-quality diamonds […]

Should Branded Diamond Cuts Matter

Branded diamond cuts have been around for more than a decade. The exquisite designs of a diamond cut are most certainly alluring and consider extremely important. A reason why the GIA recently announced that they will introduce branded-cut names to their grading reports. From renowned brilliant cut diamonds to extraordinary square emerald cuts, each design takes years of commitment and shear […]

All You Need to Know about Carat Sizes

Besides the remarkable sparkle of a diamond, one of the very first things you notice about an engagement ring is the size of the diamond. When it comes the 4Cs of a diamond, the carat size remains one of the most talked about characteristics of a diamond. In many cases, a future bride will frequently be asked […]

The Hope Diamond Curse and Mystery

The Hope Diamond is by far one of the most notorious diamonds of all time, shrouded in mystery with legends as multifaceted as the diamond itself. Also known as Le Bijou du Roi (“the King’s Jewel”), Le bleu de France (“France’s Blue”), and the Tavernier Blue, the Hope Diamond is a magnificent deep-blue colour and weighs 45.52 […]

Terms Conditions

Terms and Conditions TERMS AND CONDITIONS The Cape Town Diamond Museum is committed to providing memorable experiences to every visitor. The terms and conditions outlined below are applicable to visiting the Museum. These terms and conditions are in place to assist the Museum in delivering on its commitment. A few general rules to abide by […]

4 cs

The 4 Cs Explained Choosing the right diamond A diamond is a salute to the precious moments in our lives, a dazzling reminder of someone’s love, a reward for a great accomplishment and an enduring symbol to be treasured and celebrated. Diamonds are graded using a universal system that assesses the stone on its colour, […]

Diamonds through the ages

Introduction The history of diamonds stems over billions of years and the tale is one of mystical power, beauty, wealth and spirit. The word diamond is derived from the Greek word ‘adamas’ meaning unconquerable or indestructible. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were tears from the Gods. Diamonds were thought to be mystical and powerful stones that […]