Famous Engagement Rings and Diamonds - Kimberley Diamond

Famous Engagement Rings and Diamonds - Kimberley Diamond

The Kimberley Diamond is named after the Kimberley diamond mine (known as the Big Hole) in South Africa where the diamond was found. This is one of the best known emerald cut diamonds on earth. The diamond weighed an astonishing 490 diamond carats as rough when it was discovered. It was then cut in 1921 to 70 carats, and cut again by Baumgold Bros of New York City in 1958 to 50.09 carats to form the current emerald shape of the Kimberley Diamond.

The reason for re-cutting the Kimberley Diamond again was to maximise the brilliance and fire that the diamond produced by improving the symmetry and position of the facets. This amazing diamond has a distinct champagne colour. This diamond colour could be rather appropriate for engagement rings! The Kimberley Diamond is now owned by an anonymous private collector in Texas, USA. Last time this emerald cut diamond was valued it fetched a whopping $500,000 US dollars. However it is now believed to be worth far more!

The emerald cut, champagne coloured Kimberley Diamond.	Examining a Kimberley diamond.	The Big Hole in Kimberley, South Africa, where the Kimberley Diamond was discovered.

Famous Engagement Rings and Diamonds – The Big Hole, Kimberley, South Africa

The Big Hole is a nickname given to the Kimberley Mine in South Africa. It is believed to be the biggest hole to be dug by hand in the world! This mine was dug from 1871 to 1914 by workers excavating a total of 13,600,000 carats of diamonds! How many diamond engagement rings have come out of that mine! Plans are in place to register the Big Hole as a world heritage site.