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Looking for emerald cut engagement rings? Get inspired by the 10 largest diamonds in the world
Diamonds
Doreen
23 April 2025
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(Photo: lucaradiamond.com)
Admit it, diamonds have a special charm. Who can resist their enchanting sparkle? Browse all diamonds rings to get inspired!
Diamonds are among the most sought-after and valued possessions in the world. The discovery of a large diamond attracts international attention and arouses the fascination of both buyers and the public.
Inspired by the world's largest diamonds – discover our stunning diamond engagement rings
Diamonds have always fascinated mankind. From their natural form, hidden deep within the earth’s crust, to their enchanting sparkle in jewellery such as diamond rings, these gemstones symbolise luxury, prestige and timeless beauty. An engagement ring represents a symbol of love, celebrating love and commitment while reflecting the couple’s unique relationship and individual financial situations. Selecting a ring for a loved one carries immense emotional significance, making each piece unique and memorable. Engagement rings also symbolize the commitment leading to marriage, playing a crucial role before and during the wedding ceremony. At DiamondsByMe, where we combine craftsmanship and innovation, we understand the magic of diamond rings and jewellery like no other.
But how were these precious stones discovered over the centuries? And which diamonds are among the largest ever found? We take you on a journey through the history of the world’s most legendary diamonds.
From mine to masterpiece: the evolution of diamond mining
For centuries, diamond mining was a risky and labour-intensive activity. The earliest discoveries came from India, where they were found in rivers and alluvial deposits. Later, in the 19th century, the search moved to South Africa, where huge diamond mines were opened and the famous Kimberlite pipes were discovered.
Today, the industry has undergone a transformation. In addition to traditional mining, we now extract diamonds in an ethically responsible manner:
Lab-grown diamonds are a revolutionary addition to the market: identical to natural diamonds in chemical composition and optical properties, but without the environmental and social impact of mining. This opens up a world of possibilities for luxury jewellery lovers, without compromising on quality or beauty when purchasing diamond rings. Master goldsmiths play a crucial role in creating these high-quality diamond rings, ensuring meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. Our dedicated team of professionals, including jewellers and customer service representatives, work together to provide personalised assistance and maintain the highest standards in the design and maintenance of engagement rings, which are meticulously crafted to perfection.
But some diamonds are so enormous that they go down in history as true legends. From a diamond believed to have come from space to a stone found by a young girl among the rubble, read about the 10 largest diamonds ever discovered below.
A timeless fascination
From the legendary Cullinan to the mysterious Koh-i-Noor, the world’s largest diamonds capture the imagination. These impressive gems are not only precious because of their size and clarity, but also because of their history. Diamonds are timeless, rare and have been worn for centuries as a symbol of power, love and eternity. The emerald cut, with its classic and elegant appeal, is a testament to this timeless fascination. Each diamond tells a love story, reflecting the personal and emotional significance behind selecting an engagement ring.
A diamond is more than just a beautiful stone. It is a promise. A memory. An heirloom that can span generations. Perhaps you dream of an engagement ring that is as unique as your relationship. A ring with character, style and meaning. With a carefully chosen engagement ring with a diamond, you too can wear a piece of this magic. A tangible reminder of an important moment in your life. Be inspired by the largest diamonds in the world and discover how you can find a unique ring that is just as enchanting.
The 10 largest natural diamonds in the world: amazing finds through the centuries
1st place: The Sergio Diamond (1895) – 3,167 carats
The largest diamond ever found! This black diamond, discovered in Brazil, is a rare carbonado diamond. Because black diamonds are often less sought after for jewellery, it was not cut into smaller stones. Estimated value: Unknown, but it is considered a unique heirloom.
2nd place: The Cullinan Diamond (1905) – 3,106 carats
The Cullinan diamond is the largest and most famous clear diamond ever found. Nine large diamonds were cut from the stone, most of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels. The largest, Cullinan I (530.2 carats), is set in the royal sceptre and can be seen in the Tower of London. Estimated value: Priceless (literally).
3rd place: Motswedi Diamond (2024) – 2,492 carats
This diamond was discovered in the Karowe Mine in Botswana and is the largest find in over a century. It is as big as the palm of your hand. The cutting plans are still unknown. Photo: https://lucaradiamond.com/
4th place: The Lesedi La Rona (2015) – 1,109 carats
One of the most recent discoveries! This colossus was found in Botswana and attracted worldwide attention because it was the largest rough diamond in over 100 years. It was eventually cut into a beautiful 302.37-carat gemstone. Estimated value: $51 million.
5th place: The Excelsior Diamond (1893) – 995.2 carats
Almost 1,000 carats, but strangely enough, this diamond was not made into one large jewel. It was split into 21 smaller diamonds. Why? No one knows for sure, but it probably had to do with the limited cutting techniques available at the time. Estimated value: The individual stones are worth tens of millions.
6th place: The Star of Sierra Leone (1972) – 968.9 carats
Found in Sierra Leone, this diamond is known for its exceptional clarity and was cut into 17 stones, six of which remained in perfect D-colour quality, with the largest weighing 53.96 carats. Estimated value: Over $18 million. Current owner: Private collectors and jewellers.
7th place: Lesotho Legend (2018) – 910 carats
This diamond was discovered in the Letseng Mine in Lesotho and sold for $40 million. The stone was split into several high-quality gemstones. Photo: https://www.vancleefarpels.com/ Estimated value: over $38 million (rough stone). Current owner: Anonymous buyer.
8th place: The Incomparable Diamond (1984) – 890 carats
This diamond was discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo and later cut into a unique yellow-brown stone weighing 407.48 carats. It was found by a young girl. It was set in a necklace. Photo: https://www.jckonline.com/ Estimated value: Over $54 million. Current owner: Private collection.
9th place: The Millennium Star (1990) – 777 carats
Found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this diamond is one of the purest ever discovered. After years of cutting, it was turned into a perfect 203.04-carat D-colour pear-shaped stone. It is one of De Beers' showpieces. Estimated value: Over $98 million. Current owner: De Beers Group.
10th place: The Woyie River Diamond (1945) – 770 carats
This rare diamond was discovered in Sierra Leone. It was cut into 30 different gemstones, the largest of which weighed 31.35 carats. Estimated value: Unknown, but millions.
From the royal crown to a mysterious black diamond, these stones are legends in the world of jewellery. Who knows what the future holds—maybe an even bigger diamond will be found one day! But until then, these 10 giant gems will remain the stars of the diamond world.
From royalty to your finger: our collection of beautiful rings with large diamonds
Inspired by these impressive diamonds? At DiamondsByMe, we bring this feeling of luxury and meaning to your gold ring. Whether you choose a modern, classic or unique style with a modern twist, a bespoke ring will always be stunning, elegant and exude luxury. Each style complements various personal styles, ensuring your ring enhances your overall look. Whether you love rose gold, white gold, yellow gold or platinum, your ring will be meaningful.
Our full collection consists of carefully designed rings with an eye for detail, balance and sustainability. Think of shiny white gold bands that show off a brilliant cut, or warm gold rings in which a cushion cut adds a romantic accent. We offer a wide range of engagement rings, catering to different styles, designs, and price points. Each design tells a story – your story.
From idea to reality: the perfect gold diamond ring
With our world-leading advanced online jewellery configurator, you can easily explore and create your perfect engagement ring with diamonds or other jewels. Knowing the wearer’s ring size is crucial to avoid resizing challenges later on. Choosing the right settings is essential to ensure the ring complements the diamond cut and style. Choose a design that you love, the precious metals, such as rose gold, and the gemstones. Thanks to our innovative process, you can see exactly what your diamond ring will look like before it is made.
Craftsmanship and technology combined
At DiamondsByMe, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. Our experienced jewellers work with the latest techniques to make every diamond ring perfect with precision. This ensures that you receive a beautiful, handmade gold ring with a diamond of the highest quality. Each ring is designed in-house by a skilled team, ensuring you receive a personal and unique creation.
Fully customised diamond rings and jewellery
Would you prefer to modify a classic design or have a completely new piece of jewellery made for your partner? No problem! Our designers will be happy to help you turn your wishes into a unique design that can suit various preferences and budgets. This way, you will receive a stunning piece of jewellery.
Design your dream diamond ring today
Would you like to design a diamond piece of jewellery for every special occasion that perfectly matches your style and personality? Choose the diamond shape, clarity, carat, colour and cut to find the perfect diamond for your jewellery. The sleek and modern aesthetic of certain ring designs can add a contemporary and stylish appeal to your selection. It is essential to select the right carat weight to ensure the diamond’s brilliance and sparkle. With our leading online jewellery configurator, you can easily design and shop the perfect ring. This also makes it an ideal choice for a birthday gift for your partner.
Discover the possibilities at DiamondsByMe and create your own unique piece of jewellery today!
Our recommendations: engagement rings in which the diamond looks extra large
3x White gold engagement ring with diamond
- Engagement ring ‘Luna’ - white gold with brilliant cut diamond
- Engagement ring ‘Isa’ - modern white gold ring with solitaire diamond
- Engagement ring ‘Saskia’ - pavé white gold with central diamond
3x Gold engagement ring with diamond
- Engagement ring ‘Simone’ - classic yellow gold with solitaire diamond
- Engagement ring ‘Seline’ - gold with halo of diamonds
- Engagement ring ‘Royce’ - elegant gold ring with oval diamond
Looking for something bigger or more personal? We also create custom engagement rings, specially designed for larger diamonds or special requests. You have complete freedom in terms of shape, metal type, stone size and engraving.
Looking for a gold ring with a large diamond?
For those dreaming of a dazzling diamond ring for the perfect proposal, the bigger, the better. If you want your diamond to truly shine, solitaire and halo engagement rings are top choices. A solitaire engagement ring features a single diamond that takes centre stage, highlighting the stone’s beauty and brilliance. This classic solitaire style pairs beautifully with popular diamond cuts like brilliant or cushion, giving the ring a clean and elegant look. The minimal setting of a solitaire also enhances the visual impact of the diamond, making it appear more prominent.
Whether you prefer a modern or traditional design, a solitaire is always a timeless option that never goes out of style. While the halo ring offers added sparkle by surrounding the centre stone with smaller diamonds, the solitaire remains the ultimate symbol of simplicity and sophistication. Explore our full collection of solitaire and halo diamond rings to find the perfect engagement ring that suits your personal style and showcases your diamond to perfection.
When selecting the right metal for your engagement ring, durability is a crucial factor to consider. Different metal options such as platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold not only reflect personal preference but also influence durability, aesthetic appeal, and price.
What about the ring band?
You should also think about the ring band - some of our engagement rings have a plain ring band, but others are set with diamonds.
Already engaged?
These rings have lasting meaning and emotional value, symbolising love and commitment for life. Already engaged? Browse all wedding rings here.
Tip: Setting a budget is crucial when choosing an engagement ring because it helps narrow down your options and ensures that the ring you select aligns with what you can afford. Understanding your financial limits makes the search more efficient and focused, allowing you to find the perfect ring without overspending. Get in touch for personalised advice.
FAQ:
Diamonds are precious because of their scarcity, high production costs and intensive processing. The process of mining, cutting and certifying diamonds is complex and time-consuming. In addition, their value and price are determined by the 4Cs (Carat, Cut, Colour, Clarity), with larger, purer and better-cut stones being rare and sought after. Furthermore, natural diamonds take millions of years to form, which increases their exclusivity.
Most diamonds are found in countries such as Botswana, Russia, Canada, Australia and South Africa. Botswana is currently one of the largest producers of high-quality diamonds, while Russia supplies the largest quantity of rough diamonds.
The largest diamonds in the world have mainly been discovered in South Africa and Botswana. The Cullinan mine in South Africa is famous for the discovery of the Cullinan Diamond (3,106 carats), while the Karowe mine in Botswana has recently produced huge diamonds such as Lesedi La Rona (1,109 carats).
Diamond weight is usually expressed in carats, with 1 carat equal to 0.2 grams. The three largest rough diamonds weigh approximately:
- Sergio Diamond (3,167 carats) = 633.4 grams (0.63 kg)
- Cullinan Diamond (3,106 carats) = 621.2 grams (0.62 kg)
- Motswedi Diamond (2,492 carats) = 498.4 grams (0.50 kg)
The price of a gold ring with a diamond varies greatly depending on the size and quality of the diamond and the metal in which it is set. A small solitaire diamond ring (0.30-0.50 ct) starts at $1500, while a high-quality 1-carat gold diamond ring can easily cost between $5000 and $20000. Exclusive rings with very large or rare diamonds can cost millions of pounds.
At DiamondsByMe, we offer both natural and lab-grown diamonds, making luxury affordable and sustainable.
Natural diamonds are formed in the earth over millions of years, while lab-grown diamonds are created under controlled conditions. Both are chemically identical and equally brilliant, but lab-grown diamonds are often more affordable and sustainable in engagement rings.
That depends on your personal taste. A white gold diamond ring has a modern, elegant look, while yellow gold in your engagement ring is classic and warm. Both are beautiful and durable options for engagement rings.
Absolutely! We offer complete customization options. Our team of designers is ready to work with you to create a unique engagement ring that fits your wishes and budget.
