The Biggest Diamonds In The World

The Cullinan diamond is the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found, at 3,106.75 carats (621.35 g).

The largest polished gem from the stone is named Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa, and at 530.4 carats (106.1 g)  was the largest polished diamond in the world until the 1985 discovery of the Golden Jubilee Diamond, 545.67 carats (109.13 g), also from the Premier Mine. Cullinan I is now mounted in the head of the Sceptre with the Cross. The second largest gem from the Cullinan stone, Cullinan II or the Lesser Star of Africa, at 317.4 carats (63.5 g), is the fourth largest polished diamond in the world. Both gems are in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

The Culinan History

The Cullinan  diamond was found by Thomas Evan Powell , a miner who brought it to the surface and gave it to Frederick Wells, surface manager of the Premier Diamond Mining Company in Cullinan, South Africa on January 26, 1905. The stone was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the diamond mine.

Sir William Crookes performed an analysis of the Cullinan diamond before it was cut and mentioned its remarkable clarity, but also a black spot in the middle. The colours around the black spot were very vivid and changed as the analyzer was turned. According to Crookes, this pointed to internal strain. Such strain is not uncommon in diamonds.

The stone was bought by the Transvaal government and presented to King Edward VII on his birthday. It was cut into three large parts by Asscher Brothers of Amsterdam, and eventually into 9 large gem-quality stones and a number of smaller fragments. At the time, technology had not yet evolved to guarantee quality of the modern standard, and cutting the diamond was considered difficult and risky. In order to enable Asscher to cut the diamond in one blow, an incision was made, half an inch deep. Then, a specifically designed knife was placed in the incision and the diamond was split in one heavy blow. The diamond split through a defective spot, which was shared in both halves of the diamond

10 Biggest Diamond in The World

The most popular diamonds in the world

Akbar Shah Diamond

The rulers of the Mughal dynasty had a passion for chronicling their reign and almost every emperor in that lineage commissioned lavishly illustrated biographies. These documents have proved to be invaluable resources for later historians who have been able to use them to reconstruct the social and political events during the lives and times of the Mughal emperors.

These meticulously recorded volumes have been especially valuable in reconstructing the story of the historic Akbar Shah diamond. This fabulous gem, which once weighed 116 carats, is said to have borne two inscriptions in Persian. One referred to its first owner, Emperor Jahangir. According to the etching, the stone found its way into the Imperial Treasury of the emperor in 1619. A possible allusion to this can be found in the Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri(Memoirs of Jahangir). These records, either written in Jahangir's own hand or dictated to a scribe, cover the period of his reign(1605–27) and illustrate his glamorous lifestyle. Of his sojourn in Gujarat, it is recorded: On Friday the 5th, Bahram, son of Jahangir Quli Khan, came from the province of Bihar, and had the good fortunes to pay his respects. He laid before me some diamonds he had obtained from the mines at Kokhra.

It is likely that the Akbar Shah was among the array of diamonds that were presented to Jahangir. It is interesting to note that the memoirs make a mention of diamond deposits from the mine at Kokhra (present day Khukra, 64 km west of Ranchi)in the eastern state of Bihar. Apparently, these were not from a mine at all, but from a river bed that was fertile with diamonds. Though Jahangir's memoirs give a description of how large diamonds were also mined from this source, this area has rarely been given due credit by the diamond mining industry. In fact, it is hardly ever mentioned as a diamond rich region in India.

The second inscription on the Akbar Shah confirms that it officially became a part of Shah Jahan's treasury in 1629. It is widely believed by historians that this celebrated gem was set as one of the eyes of the peacock in the fabulous Peacock Throne. However, other scholars suggest the possibility of it being the dazzling diamonds encircled by emeralds and rubies, suspended opposite the throne. But there are yet other authorities who feel that the suspended gem was the Shah diamond.

The Allnatt Diamond is a diamond measuring 101.29 carats (20.258 g) with a cushion cut, rated in color as Fancy Vivid Yellow by the Gemological Institute of America. This diamond is named after one of its holders, Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt, a soldier, sportsman, art patron and benefactor. While it is not known precisely where the Allnatt originated, many experts believe that it was probably found in what is now known as the De Beers Premier Diamond Mine.

The Allnatt's origins are unknown prior to Major Allnatt's purchasing of the diamond in the early 1950s. After purchasing the diamond, he commissioned Cartier to make a setting for it. The final setting was a platinum flower with five petals, a stem and two leaves, all set with diamonds. The Allnatt was resold at auction in May 1996 by Christie's in Geneva for $3,043,496 US. At the time of its sale the Allnatt was 102.07 carats (20.41 g). and was graded Fancy Intense Yellow. After being sold to the SIBA Corporation, the diamond was re-cut to its current weight and the intensity was upgraded as a result.

The Allnatt was displayed as part of the Smithsonian's "The Splendor of Diamonds" exhibit, alongside The De Beers Millennium Star and The Heart of Eternity.

Cora Sun Drop Diamond

The Cora Sun-Drop Diamond is the largest yellow pear-shaped diamond known, weighing 110.3 carats (22.1 g). Being sold for $10.9 million it has set a world record for a yellow diamond.

The Sun-Drop has a very short history. It was found in South Africa in 2010 within a kimberlite pipe. Tests show that the diamond was formed from 1 to 3 billion years ago. After that, on 24 February 2011, it was kept in The Vault of the London Natural History Museum together with many other precious stones, such as the Duke of Devonshire Emerald and the Aurora Pyramid of Hope, where it stayed for six months. In November 2011, it was sold at an auction in Geneva for just over $10.9 million.^[2] The stone was cut and owned by the diamond manufacturing company Cora International, based in New York. It was sold at the auction by Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels. The Sun-Drop was bought by a telephone bidder who decided to remain anonymous. Including commission and taxes the buyer paid $12.36 million. The pre-sale estimate was from 11 to 15 million dollars. "It sold for a record for a yellow diamond ... It was exactly within our expectation for this spectacular stone," said Mr Bennett, an auctioneer.

(Sources: Wikipedia)

Diamond Planet Has Found....!

Andrew Fazekas

for National Geographic News

Published October 11, 2012

The universe just got a bit richer with the discovery of an apparent diamond-rich planet orbiting a nearby star.

Dubbed 55 Cancri e, the rocky world is only twice the size of Earth but has eight times its mass—classifying it as a "super Earth," a new study says. First detected crossing in front of its parent star in 2011, the close-in planet orbits its star in only 18 hours. As a result, surface temperatures reach an uninhabitable 3,900 degrees Fahrenheit (2,150 degrees Celsius)—which, along with carbon, make perfect conditions for creating diamonds.

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope collected data on the planet's orbital distance and mass, and resulting computer models created a picture of 55 Cancri e's chemical makeup.

"Science fiction has dreamed of diamond planets for many years, so it's amazing that we finally have evidence of its existence in the real universe," said study leader Nikku Madhusudhan, a postdoctoral researcher at Yale University.

"It's the first time we know of such an exotic planet that we think was born mostly of carbon—which really makes this a fundamental game-changer in our understanding of what's possible in planetary chemistry."

(See "'Diamond' Planet Found; May Be Stripped Star.")

At only 40 light-years away, in the northern constellation Cancer, the gemlike planet sits relatively near Earth. In dark skies, 55 Cancri e's host star is clearly visible to the naked eye. (See gem pictures.)

Diamond Planet Has Odd Chemistry

The new models fit with previous studies that showed 55 Cancri e's parent star was abundant in carbon—much more so than our sun.

"If we make the assumption that the star and its surrounding planets are all born from the same primordial disk of material, then it makes sense that the entire planetary system would be carbon rich," said Madhusudhan, whose study will appear in an upcoming issue of the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Princeton astronomer David Spergel believes the diamond-planet find probably represents the first discovery of a whole new class of planets whose chemistry has never been encountered. (Related: "'Diamond Planets' Hint at Dazzling Promise of Other Worlds.")

"Unlike our solar system, which is dominated by oxygen and silicates, this planetary system is filled with carbon," said Spergel, who was not involved in the new study.

"While it's still unknown exactly what implication this will have on our understanding of evolution of planetary systems," he said, "there's no doubt it is an important step towards understanding the full diversity of planets."

(National Geographic)

The Untold Story of the World's Biggest Diamond Heist

Darya-ye Noor Diamond

Darya-ye Noor Diamond

The Darya-ye Noor (Persian: دریای نور‎ which means "Sea of Light", or "Ocean of Light" in Persian; also spelled Darya-i-Noor, Darya-e Noor, Daria-i-Noor and Darya-i-Nur) is one of the largest diamonds in the world, weighing an estimated 182 carats (36 g). Its colour, pale pink, is one of the rarest to be found in diamonds. The Darya-ye Noor is now preserved in the vault of Central Bank of Iran ,in Tehran

In 1739, Nader Shah of Iran invaded Northern India, occupied Delhi and then massacred many of its inhabitants. As payment for returning the crown of India to the Mughal emperor, Muhammad, he took possession of the entire fabled treasury of the Mughals, including the Darya-i-noor, in addition to the Koh-i-noor and the Peacock throne. All of these treasures were carried to Iran by Nader Shah and the Darya-i-noor has remained there ever since.

After Nader Shah's death, the Darya-ye Noor was inherited by his grandson, Shahrokh Mirza. It then passed into the possession of Alam Khan Khozeimeh, and later, of Lotf Ali Khan Zand, a member of Iran's Zand dynasty. Agha Mohammad Khan, founder of Qajar dynasty, defeated the Zands, and thus the Darya-e-noor came into the possession of the Qajars. Fath Ali Shah Qajar had his name inscribed on one facet of the diamond. Later, Nasser-al-Din Shah Qajar often wore it on an armband. He apparently believed that this diamond had been one adorning the crown of Cyrus. When armbands fell from royal fashion, he wore the diamond as a brooch. On occasion, the gem would be left in the care of high personages of the land, as a sign of honor. It was eventually kept hidden in the Golestan Palace treasury museum until Mozaffar al-Din Shah Qajar's time -- this monarch wore it as a hat decoration while visiting Europe in 1902. Reza Shah, founder of the Pahlavi dynasty, wore the diamond as a decoration on his military hat during his coronation in 1926, and it was used in Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi's coronation ceremony in 1967. and it was owned by the Mughal Emperors.

The Hope Diamond

The Hope Diamond is 45.52 carats and is another stone originating from India and worn by English kings. Besides the beautiful quality of the stone, its unique blue color also attributes the price. You can view this infamous rock at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History..

The Hope Diamond, also known as "Le bleu de France" or "Le Bijou du Roi", is a large, 45.52-carat (9.10 g), deep-blue diamond, now housed in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C. It is blue to the naked eye because of trace amounts of boron within its crystal structure, but exhibits red phosphorescence after exposure to ultraviolet light. It is classified as a Type IIb diamond, and is notorious for supposedly being cursed. It has a long recorded history with few gaps in which it changed hands numerous times on its way from India to France to Britain and to the United States. It has been described as the "most famous diamond in the world"

Great Diamonds and the colors

Sotheby’s D-Grade Flawless Diamond
Price: $16 million
Carats: 108
This flawless white diamond is arguably the finest of its kind for sale anywhere in the world. What makes it extraordinary isn’t so much its heft--a generous 108 carats--as its nearly total absence of flaws.
For more information, visit www.sothebys.com.
More on Forbes.com

If you think diamonds are a girl's best friend, think again. The majority of expensive stones are bought by men, who purchase them for their personal collections.

"Marilyn Monroe had it all wrong," says Stanislas de Quercize, chief executive of jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels, "especially when it comes to serious collectors. It’s an obsession with obtaining that rare and somewhat mythical stone or that exquisite piece. These collectors will stop at nothing to get it."

These are anonymous private individuals who search for and acquire the world’s most perfect stones, working quietly through diamond suppliers, jewelry houses and auction houses, relying on phone calls and word of mouth.

In Pictures: The World’s Most Expensive Diamonds

Their search takes them to the corners of the world--from the Argyle mines in Western Australia, where rare pink and red diamonds are auctioned off at the annual Pink Diamond Tender, to Christies and Sotheby’s "Magnificent Jewels" auctions, held in different venues around the world, from Hong Kong to Geneva. (The next takes place Feb. 20 in St. Moritz.)

"Once in a while, a special stone comes up for sale," says Sally Morrison, director and spokeswoman for the Diamond Information Center, a public relations organization representing diamond retailers. "Before it becomes publicly available, the jewelry house handling it will contact a few big collectors privately, to give them the first chance to buy."

Not on the short list? Don’t worry. We’ve rounded up some of the world’s rarest and most costly diamonds. All are publicly available now, at the prices quoted. No need to wait for auction. Just come up with the necessary cash, and they can grace your finger, neck or vault tomorrow.

What To Look For

When it comes to picking out a one-of-a-kind diamond, especially one coveted by collectors, clarity and color matter more than size.

"As a collector, you want to look at rarity when seeking out a diamond," explains Morrison. This includes paying attention to how clear the stone is, how free of flaws and how exceptional its color.

Pricey Pieces

Take the flawless white diamond currently being offered by Sotheby’s Diamonds for $16 million. The stone is relatively hefty, weighing 108 carats. But it's an absence of flaws that makes it worth acquiring.

Want a little provenance with your stone? Another diamond now for sale was once displayed at the London Natural History Museum. This 70 carat white sparkler is set at the center of a multicolored diamond necklace being offered for $12 million by Robert Mouawad’s private collection. Mouawad is a jeweler well-known in the Middle East for creating pieces for royals such as the Sultan of Brunei and the Emperor of Japan.

Less costly but almost as spectacular is the $2.5 million Van Cleef & Arpels Drape de Diamantes necklace, a deco piece designed in 1935 but not executed until 2006. Its two emerald-cut white diamonds, 5.4 carats each, are set against 268 marquise-cut diamonds and 63 baguette diamonds, all mounted in white gold.

Another get: A platinum-set 15 carat white diamond ring by Neil Lane boasts a celebrity connection: Madonna once wore it.

Colors Galore

But why limit yourself to white? "Red, green, blue or purple really cause a stir, because they are so rare," says Sam Merksamer, executive director of the Natural Color Diamond Association, an international trade organization dedicated to increasing awareness of colored diamonds. "With the exception of yellows, colored diamonds tend to be on the smaller side. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t just as exquisite."

The Leviev fancy vivid yellow diamond (77.12 carats) hangs from a strand of round brilliant cut white diamonds totaling 72.58 carats (exclusive of the yellow). Price: $10 million.

And De Beers' "Kiss of the Rose" ring ($1.2 million) features a pear-shaped, rose-cut diamond so clear that through it you can see the small .8 carat fancy intense pink diamond set beneath, giving the larger stone a fiery glow. Surrounding these two are 2.49 carats of white pave diamonds.

Like what you see? Be warned: Even in our high-tech age, few serious collectors--be they men or women--buy stones over the Internet. Expect to shop corporeally.

But might online buying someday become the norm?

"Never say never," shrugs Gary Schuler, senior vice president and director of jewelry at Sotheby’s in New York. For now, though, the risk of purchasing a counterfeit online is still "too great."

The Most Expensive In The World

Most Expensive Ring

by Jeremy on February 25, 2009 · 

If you’re an aging bachelor and billionaire looking to wed someone half your age, you may want to look into expensive engagement rings. One such individual’s proposal to an ex-model involved a $1.5 million engagement ring. That may seem way out there, but it’s not even close to the most expensive ring in the world.

 

The Chopard Blue Diamond Ring is the ring that makes any other diamond ring look bad. Set with an enormous, oval-shaped blue diamond, the expensive ring also has diamond shoulders and an 18k white gold band paved with diamonds.

Blue diamond is among the most expensive diamonds in the world. It is found among boron deposits, from whence it derives its shade. This particular gem weighs in at nine carats.

The world’s most expensive ring is valued at $16.26 million, enough to put a dent in the wallets of even the wealthiest individuals.

An expensive diamond necklace is more than a simple accessory. It’s a statement of opulence that will set members of your family apart for generations. Check out some of the world’s most expensive diamond necklaces.


H. Stern’s Venus Necklace – $3.17 million
This 110-carat diamond necklace features a number of cushion, square and pear-cut diamonds set in 18k noble gold. Even the clasp is exquisite, featuring a 14-point diamond star. This is truly a piece that looks just as good from behind as it does from the front.




 

The De Beers’ Marie-Antionette Necklace – $3.7 million
From the De Beers High-Jewellery collection, this luxurious necklace features over 181 carats of mixed cut diamonds. Beneath the deep pink diamond (1.84 carats) on the first string are two yellow diamonds (5.24 and 7.06) along the second and third strings. The 8.05 carat pear-shaped white diamond hanging from the fourth string, though, is the showstopper on this beautiful piece of jewelry.







Neil Lane’s Diamond Necklace – $4 million
The 140 carats of diamonds featured on this valuable necklace feature three different cuts—pear, cushion and teardrop. The diamonds are set in platinum along the six strings that make up this necklace.

 

Garrard’s Heart of the Kingdom Ruby – $14 million
The most expensive necklace in the world features a 40.63-carat, heart-shaped Burmese ruby surrounded by 155 carats of diamonds. Burmese ruby is one of the most sought after varieties of ruby due to its blood-red hue. This gem is particularly valuable due to its extraordinary size—Burmese rubies rarely exceed a few carats!
The most expensive necklace can also be worn as a tiara.
 

 

 

 

 

Celebrities Wedding Diamond Rings

Angelina Jolie's engagement ring was designed by Brad Pitt along with jeweler Robert Procop. The ring has a center stone with an elongated tablet shape and is mounted with a galaxy of smaller stones, graduated in size and faceted to match. 

Angelina Jolie Voight; June 4, 1975) is an American actress and director. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards, and was named Hollywood's highest-paid actress by Forbes in 2009 and 2011.Jolie promotes humanitarian causes, and is noted for her work with refugees as a Special Envoy and former Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She has been cited as the world's "most beautiful" woman, a title for which she has received substantial media attention.

Jolie made her screen debut as a child alongside her father Jon Voight in Lookin' to Get Out (1982), but her film career began in earnest a decade later with the low-budget production Cyborg 2 (1993). Her first leading role in a major film was in the cyber-thriller Hackers (1995). She starred in the critically acclaimed biographical television films George Wallace (1997) and Gia (1998), and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the drama Girl, Interrupted (1999).

Jolie achieved wide fame after her portrayal of video game heroine Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), and established herself among the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood with the sequel The Cradle of Life (2003). She reinforced her reputation as a leading action star with Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) and Wanted (2008)—her biggest non-animated commercial successes to date—and received further critical acclaim for her performances in the dramas A Mighty Heart (2007) and Changeling (2008), which earned her a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress. Jolie made her directorial debut with the wartime drama In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011).

Divorced from actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton, Jolie now lives with actor Brad Pitt, in a relationship notable for fervent media attention. Jolie and Pitt have three adopted children, Maddox, Pax, and Zahara, and three biological children, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne.

Jessica Biel wears a six-carat radiant cut engagement ring from Justin Timberlake. The sides feature a scrolling rope-style which provides a vintage element to the ring.
 

Jessica Claire Biel (born March 3, 1982) is an American actress, model, and singer. Biel is known for her television role as Mary Camden in the long-running family-drama series 7th Heaven.

Photo: FameFlynet Pictures

Drew Barrymore's beau of one year, Will Kopelman, proposed over the holidays in Sun Valley, Idaho with a four-carat radiant cut engagement ring by Graff. 

Drew Blyth Barrymore (born February 22, 1975) is an American actress, film director, screenwriter, producer and model. She is a member of the Barrymore family of American actors and granddaughter of John Barrymore. She first appeared in an advertisement when she was 11 months old. Barrymore made her film debut in Altered States in 1980. Afterwards, she starred in her breakout role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. She quickly became one of Hollywood's most recognized child actresses, going on to establish herself in mainly comic roles.

Following a turbulent childhood which was marked by drug and alcohol abuse and two stints in rehab,^[1][2] Barrymore wrote the 1990 autobiography, Little Girl Lost. She successfully made the transition from child star to adult actress with a number of films including Poison Ivy, Bad Girls, Boys on the Side, and Everyone Says I Love You. Subsequently, she established herself in romantic comedies such as The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates.

In 1995, she and business partner Nancy Juvonen formed the production company Flower Films,^[3] with its first production the 1999 Barrymore film Never Been Kissed. Flower Films has gone on to produce the Barrymore vehicle films Charlie's Angels, 50 First Dates, and Music and Lyrics, as well as the cult film Donnie Darko. Barrymore's more recent projects include He's Just Not That into You, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Everybody's Fine and Going the Distance. A recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Barrymore appeared on the cover of the 2007 People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful issue.

Barrymore was named Ambassador Against Hunger for the UN World Food Programme (WFP). Since then, she has donated over US$1 million to the program. In 2007, she became both CoverGirl's newest model and spokeswoman for the cosmetic and the face for Gucci's newest jewelry line. In 2010, she was awarded the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film for her portrayal of Little Edie in Grey Gardens.

Reese Witherspoon wears a rare four-carat Ashoka diamond engagement ring by William Goldberg. Witherspoon's beau, Jim Toth, spent approximately $250,000 on the ring. Get Reese's ring style for less.

Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon (born March 22, 1976), better known as Reese Witherspoon, is an American actress and film producer. Witherspoon landed her first feature role as the female lead in the film The Man in the Moon in 1991; later that year she made her television acting debut, in the cable movie Wildflower. In 1996, Witherspoon appeared in Freeway and followed that appearance with roles in three major 1998 films: Overnight Delivery, Pleasantville and Twilight. The following year, Witherspoon appeared in the critically acclaimed Election, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

2001 marked her career's turning point with the breakout role as Elle Woods in the box office hit Legally Blonde, and in 2002 she starred in Sweet Home Alabama, which became her biggest commercial film success to date. 2003 saw her return as lead actress and executive producer of Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde. In 2005, Witherspoon received worldwide attention and praise for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in Walk the Line, which earned her an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Witherspoon married actor and Cruel Intentions co-star Ryan Phillippe in 1999; they have two children, Ava and Deacon. The couple separated at the end of 2006 and divorced in October 2007. Witherspoon married her second husband, talent agent Jim Toth, in 2011. Witherspoon owns a production company, Type A Films, and she is actively involved in children's and women's advocacy organizations. She serves on the board of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) and was named Global Ambassador of Avon Products in 2007, serving as honorary chair of the charitable Avon Foundation. On December 1, 2010, Witherspoon received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Molly Sims wears a one-of-a-kind Lorraine Schwartz cushion cut diamond halo ring. Husband Scott Stuber helped with the design.

Molly Sims (born May 25, 1973) is an American model and actress. She rose to prominence for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues and her role as Delinda Deline in the NBC drama Las Vegas. She is a Global Ambassador for Population Services International's Five & Alive program, which addresses health crises facing children under the age of five and their families. She is additionally, an ambassador for Operation Smile.

Photo: Molly Sims Picture

Jay-Z proposed to Beyonce in 2008 with an 18-carat flawless diamond by Lorraine Schwartz, worth more than $5 million. The emerald cut center stone is set in platinum.Read about Beyonce and Jay-Z's wedding.

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles (born September 4, 1981), known mononymously as Beyoncé ( /biˈjɒnseɪ/ bee-YON-say; legal name, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles–Carter) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child. Knowles rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.

During the hiatus of Destiny's Child, Knowles released her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, in 2003, which spawned two number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100—"Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy"—and became one of the most successful albums of that year, earning her a then record-tying five Grammy Awards. Following the disbandment of Destiny's Child in 2005, Knowles released her second solo album, B'Day, in 2006, which spawned the top 10 singles "Déjà Vu", "Irreplaceable" and "Beautiful Liar". Her third solo album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008), spawned the hit singles "If I Were a Boy", "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", "Halo" and "Sweet Dreams". The album helped Knowles earn six Grammys in 2010, breaking the record for most Grammy Awards won by a female artist in one night. Knowles' fourth solo album, 4 (2011), became her fourth consecutive number one album on the Billboard 200 as a solo artist. This made her the third artist in history to have her first four studio albums debut atop the chart.

Apart from her work in music, Knowles has also ventured into acting and designing clothes and perfumes. She made her acting debut in the musical film Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001), prior to appearing in major films, including Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), Dreamgirls (2006), which earned her two Golden Globe nominations, Cadillac Records (2008) and Obsessed (2009). In 2005, Knowles and her mother introduced their family's fashion line, House of Deréon, and in 2010, she released her first perfume, Heat. She has endorsed brands including, L'Oréal, Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Nintendo and Vizio. In 2010, Knowles was ranked first on Forbes list of the "100 Most Powerful and Influential Musicians in the World",^[4] and second on its list of the "100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the World".^[5] In 2012, she was named "World's Most Beautiful Woman" by People magazine.

Knowles' work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including 16 Grammy Awards, 11 MTV Video Music Awards, four American Music Awards, a Billboard Millennium Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with Destiny's Child. In 2009, Billboard named her the Top Radio Songs Artist of the 2000s decade,^[6] and ranked her as the 4th overall Artist of the Decade (and as the First Female Artist of that period).^[7] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), also recognized Knowles as the Top Certified Artist of the 2000s.^[8][9] In the US, Knowles has sold over 11.2 million albums as of May 2010,^[10] and more than 30.4 million digital singles as of January 2012.^[11] She has sold 75 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.^[12] Knowles appeared on VH1's 2010 list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time",^[13] and ranked third on their "100 Greatest Women in Music" list in 2012.^[14] In April 2008, Knowles married American rapper Jay-Z, and gave birth to their first child, Blue Ivy Carter, in January 2012.

Kendra Wilkinson wears a 2.25-carat princess cut engagement ring from Hank Baskett. Designed by New Jersey Jewelers Bernie Robbins, the center stone is accented by 60 diamonds and set in 18-carat white gold.See photos of Kendra and Hank's wedding.

Kendra Leigh Baskett  (née Wilkinson; born June 12, 1985),  professionally known by her maiden name, is an American television personality and glamour model. She is widely known for being one of Hugh Hefner's three girlfriends and for her role on the E! reality television series The Girls Next Door, on which her life in the Playboy Mansion was documented.

Although not a Playboy Playmate, she has appeared in three nude pictorials with her Girls Next Door costars and fellow Hefner girlfriends Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt. Her own reality series, Kendra, debuted in June 2009.

Kate Hudson's nine-carat rock from beau Matthew Bellamy is an emerald-cut diamond with tapered baguettes worth $200,000. Copy Kate's ring style.

Kate Garry Hudson (born April 19, 1979) is an American actress. She came to prominence in 2001 after winning a Golden Globe and receiving several nominations, including a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in Almost Famous. She then starred in the hit film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) which gained her wider fame. She has since established herself in Hollywood after starring in several productions including Raising Helen (2004), The Skeleton Key (2005), You, Me and Dupree (2006), Fool's Gold (2008) and Bride Wars (2009).

Celebrity Jewelry

Scarlett Johansson Engagement Ring 

After confirming her engagement to Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett Johansson slipped on her diamond solitaire ring before attending the Gala. The white/silver shimmer of her ring, her bracelet and the clutch she carried looked perfect against her Dolce & Gabbana gown.

Scarlett Johansson's engagement ring finger flashed a large diamond solitaire at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Annual Costume Institute Gala on May 5, 2008. Fiancé Ryan Reynolds wasn't at the event. The gown in the background is by Dolce & Gabbana.

 

 

Nicole Kidman Wearing Diamond Sautoir Necklace

Nicole Kidman's rope-like sautoir necklace is reportedly set with 7600+ diamonds of different types, including rough, faceted, and polished stones. The piece was designed by L'Wren Scott and overall it contains about 1400 carats of diamonds. 

Amy Adams Carrying Fred Leighton Bag and Wearing Proenza Schouler Gown

Amy Adams wore a deep-green satin gown by Proenza Schouler. Her tiny gold Fred Leighton bag was a perfect match for Amy's look, even though she wasn't carrying anything inside of it. 

 

 

 

 

Heidi Klum in Long Earrings and Red Galliano Gown

Heidi Klum's custom-made Galliano gown will be given away in the Diet Coke Red Dress Sweepstakes, part of an awareness program between CocaCola and The Heart Truth campaign to raise awarness about heart disease in women.

Ms. Klum's long earrings were a combination of pinks and reds to sync with her dress and the pink bag she carried. I heard a few commentators dissing that purse because it didn't "match" the gown. Maybe that was the point. She looked gorgeous.

 

 

 

Diamond Cars

Bugatti Veyron Diamond Edition Collectible Car Miniature

Editor: Sierra Monica B. under: Home » Unique Gift Ideas 

The impressive miniature of  Bugatti Veyron scaled at 1:18 was designed by Stuart Hughes in collaboration with Robert Gulpen. The luxury gadgets designer and jeweler and the specialist in collectible car miniatures created the Bugatti Veyron Diamond Edition using 24ct solid gold, platinum and 7.2ct single-cut flawless diamond.
It is available in a limited edition of only three pieces and each car was developed in about two months in high detail, weighing 7Kg.

Bugatti Veyron Diamond Edition miniature cars come with certification of authenticity, aluminum case, glass house and documentation photos of the manufacturing process.

diamond car special order for prince walid bin talal...it costs US$.4.8 million

Prince Walid is a mover and shaker, owns a part of Fox News, largest shareholder in CitiGroup inc., the world's largest bank, owner of The Savoy in Paris, large shareholder in AOL. UPDATE: It has been brought to my attention that this car couldn't possibly be totally covered in diamonds and only cost $4.8 million. So I did a search and found a blog post about an Austrian company that makes vehicles covered in a mix of diamonds and Swarovski crystals. Although Karl Seelos as head of the team (said) that the customers remain anonymous and (he was) unwilling to reveal the real prices, obviously the Prince had to brag about his 'diamond car'

White Gold Bentley