Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds
There’s simply nothing more romantic than a heart-shaped diamond. Over the years, the heart-shaped diamond cut has become extremely popular, especially for a bride who’s looking for a less traditional diamond cut. Discover some of the world’s most famous heart-shaped diamonds through history.
The world’s most famous heart-shaped diamonds through history
THE BLUE HEART DIAMOND
The rough diamond that was to become the famed Blue Heart Diamond was discovered in South Africa at the Premier Mine in 1908. At the time of discovery, the Blue Heart Diamond weighed a staggering 100.5 carats. In 1909, the diamond was purchased by the Premier Transvaal Diamond Mining Company. The brilliant diamond cut was then faceted by French jeweller, Atanik Eknayan of Paris in 1910; that same year the heart-shaped diamond was set as the centerpiece of a lily-of-the-valley ornament necklace before it was purchased by the Unzue family of Argentina.
In 1953, the Blue Heart Diamond was sold to Van Cleef & Arpels and reset into a pendant, which also featured a 2.05-carat pink diamond. The famous blue diamond was then sold to a few renowned jewellers before it was purchased by a private owner, who generously gifted the diamond to the National Gem Collection in 1964. In 1997, the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) graded the diamond a Natural Fancy Blue Colour Diamond with a clarity grade of VS-2 (very slightly included).
The famous blue diamond is graded a Natural Fancy Blue Colour Diamond with a clarity grade of VS-2
THE CULLINAN DIAMOND V
The heart-shaped diamond is one of nine diamond cuts that ordinated from the world famous Cullinan Diamond – the largest gem-quality diamond to be discovered. In 1910, the Cullinan Diamond V was gifted by the South African government to Queen Mary. Today, the diamond is worn by late Queen Mary’s granddaughter and the current British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. For more glorious diamond jewellery creations worn by the Queen click here.
The Cullinan Diamond V weighs an estimated 18.8 carats
THE ROYAL PURPLE HEART DIAMOND
This beautiful heart-shaped diamond, known as the Royal Purple Heart Diamond is one of the largest Fancy Vivid Purple Colour Diamonds in the world. The diamond was expertly cut and polished into a perfect heart shape in order to display the striking purple colour of the stone. The origins of the diamond remain unknown, but experts speculate the rare fancy colour diamond was discovered in Russia.
The Royal Purple Heart Diamond weighs 7.34-carats
THE TAJ MAHAL DIAMOND
Discovered in the 17th century, the table-cut, heart-shaped diamond from India is inscribed in the Persian Language with Arabic characters. The inscription roughly translates “Nur Jahan, Lady of the Padshah; 23; 1037,” stating the original owner of the world-famous diamond. The Taj Mahal diamond once belonged to Empress Nur Jahan, the third wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir Shah, who ruled India from 1605 to 1627. The heart-shaped diamond was made famous by Richard Burton, who gifted the creation to his wife, Elizabeth Taylor on her 40th birthday. After she passed away, the diamond was sold for $8 million dollars.
The heart-shaped diamond was gifted to Elizabeth Taylor on her 40th birthday
CHRISTIE’S 56-CARAT HEART-SHAPED DIAMOND
Back in 2011, the 56-carat heart-shaped diamond was up for grabs at the Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” Auction. The diamond was expected to sell for up to $10 million dollars, but instead, it broke the record with a seller purchasing the heart-shaped diamond for $12 million –the most spent on a heart-shaped diamond in history.
The 56-carat heart-shaped diamond broke the record at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction in 2011
THE ARGYLE AMOUR DIAMOND
The Argyle Amour Diamond is truly a masterpiece. The extraordinary heart-shaped diamond weighs 2.61 carats and remains the most valuable heart-shaped diamond to have been discovered at the Argyle Diamond mine in Australia. The rare beauty of the pink diamond has captured the hearts of many over the years.
The pink heart-shaped diamond is extremely rare and mesmerising
THE HEART OF THE OCEAN DIAMOND
This beautiful fictional diamond may be a work of fiction, but the diamond it is based on certainly isn’t the diamond it is based on certainly isn’t. Made a cult classic by the film Titanic, this creation remains one of the most beloved heart-shaped diamonds of all time. In the film, the blue heart-shaped diamond was previously owned by Louie XVI and was cut and polished after the French Revolution.
For more fascinating facts about the Hope Diamond click here.
The Heart of the Ocean remains one of the most beloved heart-shaped diamonds
A heart-shaped diamond is without a doubt one of the most romantic cuts in history. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day 2019, the heart-shaped diamond cut remains the ultimate symbol of love. Discover the integrate diamond cutting process and the amount of skill that goes into creating a heart-shaped diamond at the Cape Town Diamond Museum. Book your personally guided tour today
