From time immemorial, jewelry has captivated humanity—not just for its dazzling beauty, but for the secrets it holds. Every famous jewel in the world has a story to tell, woven with threads of power, royalty, love, betrayal, curses, and sometimes even bloodshed. Here, we journey into the glittering, mystical realm of the world’s most famous jewels, where history and intrigue intertwine. From the ominous curse of the Hope Diamond to the unconventional romance behind the Duchess of Windsor’s iconic Panthère bracelet, these legendary treasures have witnessed extraordinary moments. Curious to uncover their tales? Let’s dive in!
Here Are 13 of the Most Famous Jewels in the World
1. The Hope Diamond
The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous and enigmatic gems in the world. Weighing an impressive 45.52 carats, this stunning blue diamond has mesmerized admirers for centuries—not just for its radiant beauty, but also for its infamous legend. Thought to have been mined in India’s Golconda region, it was originally part of the French Crown Jewels before being stolen during the French Revolution. The tale of people who were once in possession of this mysterious treasure reads like a tragedy, with various owners allegedly meeting untimely and often brutal ends. Some were also said to have faced financial ruin. The Hope Diamond has since found its resting place at the Smithsonian Institution, where it continues to dazzle visitors but its dark history and whispers of a curse still add an eerie charm to its allure.
2. The Koh-i-Noor Diamond
The Koh-i-Noor diamond is a symbol of power, conquest, and an ongoing battle of ownership. Weighing 105.6 carats, this diamond has a colorful history, dating back to ancient India. Believed to have been mined in the Golconda region, it passed through the hands of Mughal emperors, Persian kings, and Afghan rulers before ultimately being claimed by the British in 1849.
The British Queen Victoria wore the Koh-i-Noor as part of her crown, and it has since been featured in the British Crown Jewels. But the diamond’s story is far from over. India, along with several other nations, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, have called for its return, standing firm on the fact that it was taken during British imperial rule. Despite its royal status, the Koh-i-Noor continues to spark debates and disputes, making it not just a piece of jewelry but a symbol of colonial history and its lingering impact.
3. The Black Orlov Diamond
The Black Orlov, sometimes referred to as the “Eye of Brahma,” is not only a rare black diamond, but it is also one of the most famous and mystifying jewels in the world. Weighing 67.50 carats, this diamond is said to have been stolen from an idol in a Hindu temple in India before making its way to Europe. Legend has it that the diamond’s previous owners met untimely and tragic ends, which gave rise to rumors of a curse. The diamond’s history includes a string of tragedies attributed to the curse, including the suicides of gem dealer J.W. Paris in 1932 and two Russian princesses in the 1940s. However, later research has debunked some of these stories, finding no records to support the princesses’ deaths. To avoid the gem’s bad luck, the diamond was recut, taking on a smooth, round shape, and it eventually found its place in various private collections. Today, it’s housed in a prestigious museum, but whispers of its cursed past continue to haunt it.
4. The Henckel Von Donnersmarck Tiara
This tiara is a true masterpiece, representing the grandeur of European aristocracy and the high-society world of the early 20th century. Likely made by Chaumet in the 1900s, it’s a spectacular collection of over 500 carats of diamonds and emeralds, with 11 Colombian emeralds set in diamond frames. The tiara was originally commissioned by a German aristocrat and industrialist for his wife, Princess Henriette von Henckel. It later passed down through generations and ended up in a private collection until it was sold at Sotheby’s Geneva auction for an astounding $12.7 million in 2011. This was one of the highest prices for a tiara at the time, making this one of the most famous and iconic jewels in the world.
5. The Marie-Louise Diadem
The Marie-Louise Diadem is a symbol of Napoleonic opulence and the luxury of the French Empire. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte for his second wife, Empress Marie-Louise of Austria, the diadem was originally part of a larger parure adorned with 1,006 mine-cut diamonds, 79 emeralds, and a stunning central pearl. The piece was gifted to the empress during their marriage in 1810, but after Napoleon’s fall from power, the diadem was passed to various European families before being acquired by a museum in the 19th century. The original emeralds were later replaced by turquoise after it was acquired by Van Cleef & Arpels in the mid-20th century. This alteration allowed the emeralds to be repurposed into new jewelry pieces. The diadem, however, was preserved with its diamond framework. Today, it can be admired at the Smithsonian, showcasing a key piece of French history.
6. The Cora Sun-Drop Diamond
The Cora Sun-Drop Diamond is one of the most stunning yellow diamonds ever discovered and one of the most famous jewels in the world. Weighing 110.3 carats, this fancy vivid yellow diamond was found in South Africa in the early 2000s. The gem’s vibrant color is due to the presence of nitrogen atoms in its crystal structure, which gives it a bright and captivating yellow hue. What sets the Cora Sun-Drop apart is its origin and age. Scientific analysis reveals it formed one to three billion years ago deep within the Earth’s mantle under extreme heat and pressure. In 2011, the diamond was auctioned by Sotheby’s Geneva and fetched $12.4 million, setting a record for the highest price ever achieved by a yellow diamond.
7. The La Peregrina Pearl
La Peregrina, meaning “The Pilgrim,” is one of the largest and most symmetrical natural pearls ever discovered. Found off the coast of Panama in the mid-16th century, it was presented to King Philip II of Spain, who gifted it to Queen Mary I of England as a wedding gift. Over centuries, the pearl passed through European royal families, eventually making its way into the possession of Hollywood royalty.
Richard Burton famously bought La Peregrina for Elizabeth Taylor in 1969, and she later collaborated with Cartier to create a stunning necklace featuring the pearl as its centerpiece. The necklace sold at auction in 2011 for $11.8 million, cementing its status as one of the most famous and valuable jewels in the world.
8. The Dresden Green
Natural green diamonds are a rarity, and the Dresden Green stands out as the largest of its kind. Weighing 41 carats, this diamond was mined in the Golconda region of India and acquired by Friedrich Augustus I of Saxony in the early 18th century. Unlike most green diamonds, the Dresden Green got its color from natural radiation deep within the earth. Its flawless clarity and vivid color have made it one of the most valuable diamonds in the world. The gem is part of the Saxon Crown Jewels and is now housed in the Green Vault in Dresden, Germany, where visitors marvel at its remarkable color and mesmerizing beauty.
9. The Star of Asia
The Star of Asia, a stunning star sapphire weighing 330 carats, is renowned for its deep blue hue and the six-rayed star at its center, caused by rutile inclusions that reflect light in a phenomenon called asterism. The gem was discovered in Burma’s legendary Mogok Valley. While its early history remains a mystery, it is believed to have been part of the collection of the Maharajah of Jodhpur, a monarch with a keen interest in exceptional gemstones. The Star of Asia’s transition to the Smithsonian Institution in 1961 was facilitated by Martin Ehrmann, a prominent mineral dealer, who helped preserve this gem for public display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
10. The Hutton-Mdivani Necklace
The Hutton-Mdivani Necklace is a dazzling piece of jewelry that speaks to the extravagant tastes of early 20th-century aristocracy. Featuring 27 jadeite beads of the highest quality, this necklace was originally created by Cartier in the 1930s. It was a wedding gift to the American heiress Barbara Hutton from her father, Franklyn Laws Hutton, on the occasion of her wedding to her second husband, Prince Alexis Mdivani. The necklace is known for its exquisite craftsmanship and has since become one of the most famous and valuable pieces of jadeite jewels in the world. It was sold at auction in 2014 for $27.4 million, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a piece of jadeite jewelry.
11. The Taylor-Burton Diamond
The Taylor-Burton Diamond is an iconic symbol of Hollywood glamour and one of the most famous diamonds of the 20th century. This 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond was originally bought by Richard Burton for his then-wife, Elizabeth Taylor, in 1969. The gift of this rare diamond was a token of his affection and sparked headlines around the world. The Taylor-Burton Diamond became a centerpiece in the actress’s jewelry collection, and after their divorce, Elizabeth Taylor sold it, using the proceeds to fund a hospital in Botswana.
12. The Duchess of Windsor’s Panther Bracelet
The Panther bracelet, designed by Cartier in 1952, is an emblem of the daring and unconventional love story between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. The bracelet, crafted from onyx and diamonds, features an articulated panther wrapped around the wrist in an elegant, fierce pose. It was a personal gift from Edward to Wallis, who famously became the Duchess of Windsor after Edward abdicated the throne to marry her. The bracelet symbolizes their deep affection for each other and their defiance of royal norms. In 2010, it was sold at Sotheby’s auction for $7 million, setting a record for the most expensive bracelet ever sold.
13. The Graff Pink
The Graff Pink is an extraordinary diamond that lives up to its name. Weighing 24.78 carats, it is considered one of the most flawless and valuable pink diamonds ever discovered. This rare gem was bought by jewelry magnate Laurence Graff in 2010 for $46 million, making it one of the most expensive diamonds ever sold.
Featured image: Jasper “Yogi” Gough
Amanda Akalonu is dedicated to weaving together the worlds of jewelry, watches, and objects through a lens of literary storytelling.
