The world's most famous diamonds, next to a 1 carat ring

One of the most famous diamonds in the world, with a recorded history going back centuries through Mughal, Persian, Afghan and Sikh rulers. It came to Britain in 1849 under the Last Treaty of Lahore and was presented to Queen Victoria in 1850.

Prince Albert had it recut in 1852, which took 38 days and cut it from 186 old carats to its current 105.6. Since arriving in Britain it has only been worn by women of the royal family.

Its ownership is disputed: India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan have each claimed it.

Cut from the Cullinan, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found: 3,106 carats, dug from the Premier mine in South Africa on 26 January 1905. It was presented to King Edward VII on 9 November 1907, his 66th birthday.

Joseph Asscher & Co. in Amsterdam cut it into nine major stones. Cullinan I is still the largest colourless cut diamond in the world.

The second-largest stone cut from the Cullinan rough. It sits at the front of the Imperial State Crown, which the monarch wears at the State Opening of Parliament.

Its blue comes from tiny traces of boron. After short-wave ultraviolet light it glows an unusually intense red for a while.

The jeweller Harry Winston gave it to the Smithsonian in 1958, sending it by registered post. The famous “curse” has no evidence behind it: the story grew up in the early 20th century and helped sell the stone.

Found in 1985 at the same South African mine as the Cullinan. It was given to King Bhumibol of Thailand in 1996 for the 50th anniversary of his accession, hence the name.

It was the largest cut diamond known until the 612.34-carat Black Falcon was revealed in 2025.

Found in India in the late 17th century and bought by Thomas Pitt, Governor of Fort St George, who had it cut in London between 1704 and 1706. The French Regent bought it in 1717, and in 1812 Napoleon had it set in the guard of his sword.

Cut from a 777-carat rough found in 1990, it was the star of the De Beers exhibition at London’s Millennium Dome. On 7 November 2000 a gang ram-raided the Dome to steal it.

The Met’s Flying Squad had been watching them, and the real diamond had already been swapped for a fake. The gang were arrested inside the Dome.

Mined by De Beers in South Africa in 1999 as a 132.5-carat rough. Sotheby’s sold it in Hong Kong on 4 April 2017 for US$71.2 million, a record price for a gemstone at auction at the time.

Richard Burton bought it for Elizabeth Taylor in 1969 for US$1.1 million. She sold it in 1979, for a price believed to be US$3–5 million. It was later recut from 69.42 to 68 carats.