Posted on 09/26/2010 5:50:58 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The Kazanjian Red Diamond, one of the most spectacular gemstones ever discovered, goes on display today at the American Museum of Natural History. Red is the rarest color in diamonds — less than 20 are known to exist in the world today. What’s more, the Kazanjian Red Diamond has an amazing back story.
The gem was discovered in the 1920s in Litchenburg, South Africa. When found, it was a hefty 35 carats uncut. A diamond broker paid a modest eight pounds per carat for it. It was later sent to Amsterdam to be cut and polished by the Goudiv brothers. At first, the youngest son balked, stating that that the stone was not worth the effort. However, the eldest and more experienced son, who had studied the stone carefully, quietly disagreed. He called in the firm’s master cutter, who studied the diamond for seven months. After cautious cleaving and polishing, the gem emerged a 5.05-carat emerald cut. In candlelight, the Kazanjian Red Diamond appears as vivid as a drop of blood splashed on a white diamond.
While the gem had been sent twice to Tiffany & Company in New York, by 1944, during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, it was discovered in Arnhem and swiftly sent to Germany, where it was hidden among other confiscated gems. After the war, the diamond merchant Louis Asscher was assigned a cache of gemstones found hidden in a salt mine near Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s retreat in Bavaria. The listing found with the stones stated diamonds “and one ruby.” Asscher immediately recognized it as the Red Diamond. It was eventually sold to Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, who sold it to the Royal Asscher Diamond Company.
(Excerpt) Read more at tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com ...
Wow, that’s really red, which I didn’t know was even possible.
One time in an upscale jewelry store I saw a set of 4 matching men’s gold rings with colored diamonds in them - white, blue, green, and yellow. That set was the only jewelry item I’ve ever wanted in my whole life.
I wonder if they got that gem from the D & D player’s handbook (from the head of the demonic idol).
Inside joke alert...
It is a gorgeous stone, but emerald cut is just about my least favorite. I realize that the master cutter has to study the stone and do what will come out best though.
Have you seen champagne diamonds? They are the color of creme soda. My friend has them in her wedding ring, the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. I’m content with a soda can ring, but her’s I could covet! Really, really beautiful!
Nom nom nom.
The salesman at the store called these colored diamonds "fancies", and were not man-made.
Nice. My favorite is still the Hope Diamond, but I’ve got a thing for ancient curses. ;’)
Nice!
I don’t like diamonds. They’re too much money in too tiny a place and coveted by too many people.
“emerald cut is just about my least favorite”
I love them, I’m just into squares!
But, sadly I don’t have one, even my emerald ring (which beloved daughty got me) is oval.
I’m not greedy, I’ll be happy with just one of them, please.
See my post 10. The emerald cut is really a rectangle, but I just love the princess - it’s close to a square, but inside it just sparkles.
...and you pinged me because....?
I give you hope?
You have a diamond to give me?
I am considered an ancient curse? In which case you have a pingthing for me?
Your screen name is hilarious considering your interest in diamonds!
I had no idea they came in so many colors, and because these things are out of my league, the cuttings are very interesting.
Thank you for the post!
I don't know about ancient. But for a small phenomenal fee...
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