Some gems are so outrageously pricey that one wonders where they may have originated.
Such valuables’ histories can be fascinating. The history of five of the most valuable stones ever mined in Africa is given below
7. Blue moon of Josephine – $48.4 million
In 2014, this diamond was uncovered at the Cullinan mine in South Africa. It was purchased by Joseph Lau, a Hong Kong billionaire and convicted criminal. He paid $9.5 million for the gem and named it the “Blue Moon of Josephine” after his daughter.
The following year, the diamond was sold for a remarkable $48.4 million, setting a record price. The diamond originated from the
6. Williamson Pink Star Diamond – $50 million
This diamond was discovered in Mwadui, Tanzania and was sold for a staggering $49.9 million at an auction in Hong Kong in October 2022, surpassing its expected value by more than double.
This sale set a new record for the most expensive diamond sold per carat at auction. The buyer’s identity remains unknown. This diamond is currently ranked as the second most valuable gem or jewel ever sold at a public auction.
5. De-Beers-Cullinan – $57.4 million
The De Beers Cullinan Blue diamond is one of the most valuable blue diamonds ever sold. The 15.10-carat precious stone fetched $57 million at auction. It was discovered in April 2021 at Petra Diamonds’ Cullinan mine in South Africa.
The De Beers Blue diamond is the largest vivid blue diamond ever sold at auction. It was sold at a separate auction at Sotheby’s Pacific Place gallery in Hong Kong.
4. Oppenheimer Blue – $57.5 million
Blue diamonds are arguably the rarest diamonds on the planet, and the Oppenheimer blue diamond is their most valuable. It was sold for $57.5 million, making it the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction until 2017, when the Steinmetz Pink surpassed it.
Mining magnate Philip Oppenheimer owned it before being sold to an unknown buyer. During the twentieth century, the stone was discovered in South Africa.
3. The Williamson Pink Star – $71.2 million
The Willamson Pink Star/The Steinmetz Pink Star is another diamond mined in South Africa by De Beers in 1999. It is 59.60 carats and has a brilliant, vivid pink colour. Because of the rarity of the diamond, Steinmetz Diamonds took 20 months to cut it.
The Pink star was unveiled at an event in Monaco in 2003. Sotheby’s Geneva auctioned the diamond on November 13, 2013, and it was sold to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises in Hong Kong for $71.2 million in 2017.
2. Centenary-diamond De beers – $90-$100 million
The Centenary Diamond is a precious stone that was discovered in South Africa’s Premier Mine using X-ray imaging system. The diamond was found on July 17, 1986. It was presented at the De Beers Consolidated Mines Centennial Celebration in May 1988.
In 1991, it was insured for $100 million. It weighs 273.85 carats and is slightly smaller than the Cullinan I and II.
1. The Cullinan – $2 billion
This is the largest diamond in the world, weighing 3,106.75 carats. It was discovered in the South African Cullinan mines. Thomas Cullinan, who served as the Gem’s first owner, inspired its name. The Transvaal’s then-prime minister bought the diamond and gave it to King Edward VII of England in 1905. Transvaal is the name of the country that is now South Africa.
The raw diamond was cut into nine major stones, the largest of which is the 530.2ct Cullinan I, also known as the Star of Africa. The Star of Africa now adorns the British Crown’s royal sceptre. The second largest piece, the Cullinan 2, also adorns another British treasure, the Imperial State Crown.
The Cullinan III to IX were acquired by the South African government and presented to Queen Mary (l. 1876-1953), the consort of George V, in 1910 to commemorate the formation of the Union of South Africa.
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