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Diamonds are some of the most precious things in the world, and people are naturally drawn to them. So when an unusually large diamond is discovered, it often makes headlines and catches the attention of both serious buyers and the public at large.
Explore the top 10 largest diamonds ever discovered as we move from one believed to have come from outer space to another found by a young girl, hidden among rubble.
What Are the Largest Diamonds in the World?
10. Woyie River – 777 carats
We begin our top 10 list of the world’s largest diamonds with the Woyie River Diamond. Discovered in Sierra Leone in 1945, it was named after the river near the spot where it was found. At the time, it was the largest alluvial diamond ever recorded.
The diamond was later taken to England, where it was presented to Queen Mary in 1947 and shown to the public at the British Industries Fair in 1949.
Eventually, the stone was cut into 30 pieces. The largest of them was named the Victory Diamond, a tribute to the Allied victory in World War II, which had just ended shortly before the diamond’s discovery.
The Victory Diamond weighs 31.35 carats and is a rare D-color gemstone with VVS2 clarity. In the mid-1900s, it was acquired by investor Frank Gould as a gift for his wife, Florence.
9. Millennium Star – 777 carats
Unearthed in 1990 from the Mbuji-Mayi mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Millennium Star was breathtaking from the start. In its rough form, it weighed an astonishing 777 carats.
The diamond was later acquired by De Beers and entrusted to the Steinmetz Group for cutting. That process alone took three years and resulted in a flawless 203.04-carat, D-color, pear-shaped diamond.
The transformation didn’t stop there. From the original stone came 11 rare blue diamonds, along with a remarkable 27.64-carat heart-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond.
8. Koh-i-Noor – 793 carats
The Koh-i-Noor is one of the most talked-about diamonds in history, and its story goes back at least to the 13th century. It’s believed to have been found in the Kollur Mines in India, during the time of the Kakatiya dynasty.
From there, the diamond lived a restless life. It passed from one ruler to another over centuries, almost always through conquest. The Sikh, Mughal, and Persian empires all claimed it at different points, each seeing it as a symbol of power, victory, and authority.
The most controversial chapter came in 1877, when Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India. The Koh-i-Noor was taken and folded into the British Crown Jewels, a move that still sparks debate today.
Years earlier, in 1852, Prince Albert had the stone recut, turning it into a 186-carat oval diamond and permanently changing its original form. Today, the Koh-i-Noor remains part of the British Crown Jewels, carrying not just immense value but centuries of history, conflict, and unresolved emotion.
7. Constellation – 813 carats
Mined in 2015 at the Karowe Mine in Botswana, the diamond was originally owned by Lucara Diamond Corp. Over time, it changed hands several times before being bought by De Beers, which later sold it on to the Zale Corporation.
In 2016, the stone made headlines when it fetched a record-breaking $63.1 million at ADCO’s tender sale. The buyer was Nemesis International DMCC. At roughly $77,649 per carat, it was pitched as the most expensive rough diamond ever sold at the time.
The company has since said it plans to recut the diamond, setting the stage for yet another chapter in its already remarkable story.
6. Incomparable – 890 carats
Among the world’s largest diamonds, one has a story that still feels unreal. In 1989, a young girl in the Democratic Republic of Congo stumbled across it while playing in a pile of rubble. What looked like an ordinary stone turned out to be something extraordinary.
Experts spent four years studying the rough diamond. In the end, they made a deliberate choice. Instead of keeping a larger stone with visible flaws, they cut it down to create something perfectly clean.
The result was a 407.78-carat Fancy Deep Brownish Yellow diamond with internally flawless clarity. Valued at $55 million, it went on to set a benchmark with Guinness World Records, securing its place in diamond history.
5. Star of Sierra Leone – 969 carats
In 1972, the Diminco Octea Group announced the discovery of the fifth-largest rough diamond ever found. It came from the Diminco Mine in eastern Sierra Leone, a region already known for producing extraordinary stones.
The diamond soon caught the attention of legendary jeweler Harry Winston, who purchased it for around $2.5 million. He had the stone cut into a striking 143.2-carat emerald-cut gem.
But the story didn’t end there. After an internal imperfection was discovered, the diamond was recut once again. This time, it was divided into 17 smaller stones. The largest of those became a 53.96-carat pear-shaped diamond, carrying forward the legacy of the original find.
4. Excelsior Diamond – 995.2 carats
Before the Cullinan came along, the Excelsior Diamond was the biggest diamond anyone had ever seen. It was found in 1893 by a mine worker at the Jagersfontein Mine in South Africa. No ceremony. No big moment. Just someone realizing they were holding something unbelievable.
Because the stone was so large and so clean, no one rushed to sell it. It sat for years while people argued about what to do with it. Cutting it felt risky. One wrong move and the whole thing could be ruined.
Finally, in 1904, it was handed to master cutter I. J. Asscher in Amsterdam. Instead of keeping it whole, he made the call to break it down. The diamond was split into ten smaller stones. The largest of them became a 69.69-carat pear-shaped diamond, still impressive, even as just a part of the original giant.
3. Lesedi La Rona – 1,111 carats
Among the largest diamonds discovered most recently, The Lesedi La Rona was found in 2015 at the Karowe Mine in Botswana. The rough stone went to auction at Sotheby’s in June 2016 but did not find a buyer, probably because of its unusual size. Its eventual sale was to be by private treaty.
2. Cullinan Diamond – 3,106.75 carats
The Cullinan Diamond, discovered in 1905 at the Premier Mine in Pretoria by Sir Thomas Cullinan, is one of the largest gem-quality diamonds ever found. Shortly after its discovery, the stone was presented as a gift to King Edward VII.
The diamond was later cut into 96 smaller stones and nine major gems. Among them is Cullinan I, also known as the Great Star of Africa, a 530.4-carat diamond set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross. It remains part of the British Crown Jewels today.
1. Sergio – 3,167 carats
At the very top of the list sits Sergio, the largest rough diamond ever discovered. This rare black carbonado diamond was found in 1895 in Bahia, Brazil, and nothing else quite compares to it.
Carbonado diamonds are extremely rare and known for their incredible toughness. In their natural state, they don’t sparkle like traditional diamonds. Instead, they look almost like chunks of carbon, raw and unpolished.
What really makes Sergio intriguing is where it might have come from. Some experts believe this stone didn’t form on Earth at all. The theory is that it’s a fragment from a supernova that exploded billions of years ago, eventually landing on Earth around 2.3 billion years back. If true, Sergio isn’t just the world’s largest diamond. It’s also one of the oldest travelers ever discovered.
Also Read: https://kamajewelry.com/blogs/insights/list-of-top-10-diamond-producing-countries
How To Sell Your Diamonds Or Jewelry?
There are three common ways to sell diamonds or fine jewelry: online marketplaces, local jewelers, and specialist diamond buyers. Each one works differently, and each has its trade-offs.
Online marketplaces give you access to a much larger pool of buyers, which can help if you’re aiming for the best possible price. The flip side is that you’ll need to handle things like shipping, insurance, and security yourself.
Local jewelers are usually the quickest option. You can walk in and walk out with cash, but the offer is often lower since they’re buying the stone to resell at a profit.
Then there are companies that specialize in buying diamonds. These tend to offer a more structured experience, with clearer pricing and help with paperwork. You may not always get the absolute top price, but the process is usually smoother and more predictable.
There’s no single “right” choice. It really comes down to what matters most to you: speed, convenience, or maximum return.
Whatever route you choose, always ask for a written quote that clearly explains how the price was calculated. That one step alone helps you spot hidden deductions and makes it easier to compare offers side by side.
Now that you know where you can sell, here are a few practical tips to help you feel confident going in:
Keep the diamond clean. Even warm water and mild soap can make a noticeable difference in how it looks.
Bring any original documents you have, such as certificates, receipts, or appraisal reports. They help establish authenticity and value.
Don’t rush the decision. If possible, get at least two offers and compare them.
Pay attention to timing. Diamond prices can shift with demand, and that can affect the final number.
The goal isn’t just to sell quickly. It’s to sell thoughtfully. When you understand your options, you’re far more likely to walk away feeling clear, confident, and in control.
Where To Buy Diamonds Or Jewelry?
When you’re buying diamonds or fine jewelry, design is only part of the story. What really matters is trust, proper certification, and how well the piece is made. When you choose the right jeweler, you’re not just buying something beautiful. You’re buying peace of mind.
Kamajewelry approaches its work with that same mindset. Each piece is carefully crafted, with attention to both detail and durability. Whether it’s an engagement ring, a meaningful gift, or something you’ve picked just for yourself, the focus is on creating jewelry that feels elegant and easy to wear, not delicate or impractical.
Every diamond is handpicked for its brilliance and quality, and every design starts with ethically sourced stones. That care shows in how the jewelry feels when you wear it. These are pieces meant to be part of your life, not locked away for special occasions only.
Whether you’re celebrating something important or simply choosing a piece you’ll wear often, it blends classic style with a modern sensibility that doesn’t chase trends and doesn’t age with them.
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