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58F magazine
When Diamonds Become Fancy
The white diamonds are too classic for you? Nature has done it right by creating varieties of colors called Fancy. These "fantasies" of nature are even rarer than white diamonds and 58 Facettes invites you to discover them through the great story.
The blue diamond of the crown of France
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Known romantically from the movie Titanic, the Hope Diamond is the most famous blue diamond. This diamond has passed through history between many countries and many hands with often a tragic end for its owners. Brought back from India in 1668 by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier for King Louis XIV, it takes the name of Blue Diamond of the Crown of France weighing 67,50 carats. Stolen during the French Revolution in 1792, the diamond reappears in England at the home of Baron Hope who gives it his name, but experiences terrible family and financial drama. In 1911, the Hope was acquired by the wealthy American socialite Evelyn Walsh McLean and in 1949, the American jeweler Harry Winston will buy it to offer it in 1958, to the Smithsonian Institute of Washington. Today, this diamond makes the whole planet dream. With its mysterious blue, it capsizes hearts like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the famous film Titanic.
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The pink diamond: the Grand Condé
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Today, nestled in the chests of the Château de Chantilly, the 9,01-carat pink diamond had been offered by Louis XIV to his cousin Louis II of Bourbon, Prince of Condé. This magnificent diamond with delicate hues will be preciously transmitted within the family of Condé and travel after the Revolution throughout Europe under the protection against the Republican. In 1897, the last Condé, Duke of Aumale, bequeathed to the Institut de France the castle with the famous pink diamond and a prodigious collection of paintings. With a delicate color, pink diamonds are particularly sought after by newlyweds for their engagement rings and can be combined in You and Me with in particular a yellow or blue diamond.
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Tiffany's yellow diamond
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The most famous intense yellow diamond in the world belongs to Tiffany & Co, which acquired it in Paris in 1837. This 128,54-carat cushion-cut diamond with 90 facets was brought to life by the American jeweler through various creations : from the Rosette ribbon necklace worn by Audrey Hepburn in 1961, to the Bird on the rock brooch from 1995, to the current necklace, worn by Lady Gaga, during the Oscars ceremony in 2019. Particularly prized by an international clientele, diamonds yellow offer 6 color shades ranging from Fancy Light to Fancy Dark via Fancy Vivid. The yellow diamonds make it possible to illuminate the adornments playing with the different shades ranging from the soft morning light to the flamboyant sunset.
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The mysterious Korloff black diamond
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The French brand Korloff built its name in the 80s by buying an 88-carat black diamond. This diamond belonged to a Russian noble family Korloff-Sapojnikoff and was sold after the 1917 revolution. The black diamond reappeared for the general public in November 2019, during the inauguration of the new boutique concept, rue de la Paix and gave birth to new emblematic collections. Even if black diamonds do not have a great value, they bring a chic touch to jewelry and above all a mysterious note.
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The rarest diamonds: green and red
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Green diamonds are in 3rd place of the most sought-after diamonds for their rarity (after blue). The most famous is in northern Germany: the green diamond of Dresden (40,70 carats). It is one of the splendors of Dresden Castle and its famous "green vault" which contains the most important collection of goldsmith's objects and exceptional diamonds of Prince Augustus the Strong since 1723.
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Red diamonds are the most sought after on the planet. According to the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), there are only 20 red diamonds in the world, notably from the famous Argyle mine in Australia, which has just closed its doors. For example, in 2013, a red diamond from this mine weighing only 1,56 carats was sold for 2 million dollars.
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The polychromatic power of the diamond fascinates us and reminds us of the preciousness of our planet with its incomparable stones.
Dossier produced by Kyra Brenzinger - Editor-in-chief.
Cover photo: Blue cubic zirconia replica of the so-called French Blue diamond © MNHN
Photo 1: Blue of France © MNHN - Bernard Faye
Photo 2: The pink diamond. Chantilly, Condé museum © RMN-Grand Palais (Chantilly estate) © Michel Urtado
Photo 3: Necklace in platinum, white diamonds and a 128-carat yellow diamond, Tiffany & Co. Tiffany / Photo press
Photo 4: Korloff Black Diamond. QuentinDupont, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo 5: Dresden Green Diamond. The Encyclopedia of Gems. Gemfrance.
Photo 6: Red Diamond "The Hancock Red". An extremely rare diamond: the red diamond. Diamant-Gems The Blog.