Diamonds are one of the most popular and most favoured gemstones in the world. Yellow diamonds are among the most captivating and rare gemstones that are set apart from colourless diamonds thank to their alluring yellow colour. They range in colour from a pale lemon tone to a deep vibrant shade. Thanks to their unique beauty they are a symbol of luxury and have been associated with wealth and royalty throughout history. Here we are discussing a few of the most famous yellow diamonds and the stories behind them.
The Tiffany Yellow Diamond
An iconic diamond – this stone was found in the 19th century in South Africa before Charles Lewis Tiffany purchased the stone for $18,000. The Tiffany & Co. founder saw the stones potential and the chief gemmologist at Tiffany & Co, Dr. George Frederick Kunz, transformed the diamond into the cushion-shape 128.54 carat stone we know. First worn in 1957 by socialite Mary Whitehouse, Audrey Hepburn famously wore the diamond during publicity for her film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” It has since been worn by Beyoncé and Lady Gaga as a diamond necklace. Remaining one of the most famous diamonds in the world, this dazzling yellow stone is still displayed prominently at Tiffany & Co. stores and prestigious events and exhibitions.
The Golden Jubilee Diamond
The largest faceted diamond in the world with a staggering 545.67 carats, the Golden Jubilee Diamond has been graded as fancy yellow-brown, its golden hue aptly reflects its name. Discovered in 1985 in Transvaal, South Africa, the stone originally weighed 755 carats. De Beers saw its potential and Gabriel Tolkowsky worked to cut and polish the stone. The rose cushion cut diamond was sent to Thailand for the Thai Board of Investment Exhibition and in 1995 was sold to a Thai business man, Henry Ho, before it was blessed by Pope John Paul II (then the Supreme Buddhist Patriarch and became the High Imam of Thailand). The diamond gets its name from the fact it was gifted by the Thai Diamond Manufacturers Association to King Rama IX in honour of his 50th coronation anniversary.
The Incomparable Diamond
One of the most remarkable origins of a precious diamond, this precious jewel was found by a young girl in a heap of rubble in Mbuji Mayi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After giving the stone to her uncle, the diamond was sold to several people before eventually being sold on to Donald Zale who was chairman of the board of Zale Corporation; a jewellery store chain. He bought it in partnership with prominent figures of the New York diamond industry Marvin Samuels (who would oversee the cutting of the stone) and Louis Glick. It was fittingly unveiled in coordination with Zale Corporation’s diamond anniversary and was then on display at the Smithsonian Institute.
The diamond was irregularly shaped with a rough surface initially but once it had been partially polished and the interior had been opened up for inspection, it was virtually free of inclusions. It was decided to cut the stone into a main diamond and 14 smaller stones, the largest of which was kite shaped and weighed 15.66 carats. The main gem weight is 407.78-carats.
Whilst the rough stone’s colour was yellow-brownish, the 15 stones produced are varied from yellow-brown to nearly colourless. As the fourth biggest gem-quality stone to be discovered, it has been showcased in museums and exhibitions to be admired for its striking colour and size. In 2013 it was unveiled set in a necklace by Mouawad, considered the most valuable necklace in the world.
With their rare and stunning yellow hues, these gemstones are not just a striking addition to a jewellery collection but a symbol of elegance and enduring beauty as the aforementioned examples demonstrate. Gracing prestigious exhibitions and events, worn by high profile celebs and admired by generations, yellow diamonds are one of the most magnificent gemstones examples.
