Famous Engagement Rings and Diamonds - Deepdene Diamond

Famous Engagement Rings and Diamonds - Deepdene Diamond

This huge 104.52 carat diamond was named after the estate of the diamond's original owners in Pennsylvania, USA. This famous diamond is known as possibly the largest irradiated diamond on the planet. In other words, someone artificially gave the stone more diamond colour, in this case bright vivid yellow, to give it more value (irradiated diamonds are certainly not desirable for engagement rings which we believe deserve only the highest quality diamonds).

The Deepdene's current whereabouts are unknown - however the previous owners of this diamond include Harry Winston, an established London firm and a private German collector. In 1971 the Deepdene was on auction at a respected auctioneer's in Geneva named Christie's Auction House. One potential Swiss buyer had the opportunity to inspect the diamond prior to the auction. This Swiss buyer happened to be an expert in recognising diamonds with an artificial colour and thus declared the Deepdene to be an irradiated diamond! This buyer warned other potential buyers and the auction house itself. However, the sale went ahead on the basis the diamond would be graded and examined again at another laboratory.

Shortly after being sold to a well known French jewelry company, the Deepdene was examined by The Gem Testing Laboratory in England where it was confirmed that the Deepdene was indeed irradiated. The French jewelry company returned the Deepdene immediately for a full refund. It is not known where the Deepdene is now or who owns this infamous diamond.

Famous Engagement Rings and Diamonds - Premier Mine, South Africa

The Premier Mine is a diamond mine set underground in South Africa. This is the mine where the Deepdene was discovered. There have been many famous diamonds found at the Premier Mine, including the Cullinan Diamond, weighing in at a record breaking rough diamond weight of 3,106.75 carats! Now I know people like engagement rings with big diamonds but that is pushing it a bit! The Cullinan Diamond was named after the owner of the Premier Mine, Sir Thomas Cullinan. This diamond mine remained undiscovered until 1890 when it was found by a Dutchman called Fabricius.