Legendary Diamonds

De Beers is synonymous with the pursuit of the world’s most exceptional diamonds and when an extraordinarily rare and beautiful natural diamond is discovered, we are committed to respecting its identity, preserving its mystique and enhancing its beauty.

In cutting and polishing the diamond, we are like the artist, shaping a piece of sculpture. In safeguarding its authenticity and value, we take on the role of curator, protecting an enigmatic treasure. We are proud to reveal the evocative and enduring stories behind these renowned diamonds.

The De Beers Millennium Star

The only diamond in the world to be selected to represent the next 1000 years and be displayed before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and 85 million television viewers around the world. The peerless De Beers Millennium Star was lit by a laser beam at the stroke of midnight in the Millennium Dome in London in 2000. At 203.04 carats, The De Beers Millennium Star is the world’s largest top-colour internally and externally flawless pear-shaped diamond - certified by the Gemological Institute of America. Cut purely to maximize its beauty rather than maintain its maximum weight, the polishing process and perfect facet alignment took over three years to complete. It remains today the inspiration behind every single diamond selected for De Beers jewellery.

The Centenary Diamond

In 1988, at the centenary celebrations of De Beers in Kimberley, South Africa, it was announced that a 599 carat diamond, one of the world’s largest top-colour diamonds, internally and externally flawless, had been discovered two years before. From this rough, the 273.85 carat Centenary Diamond was cut, enhanced by 247 perfectly aligned facets. Unveiled in 1991, it was later displayed at the Tower of London.

The Oppenheimer Blue

The Oppenheimer Blue is a 14.62 carat emerald cut, fancy vivid blue, found by De Beers in South Africa and considered by experts, when it was recently sold in auction, as the finest blue diamond in the world.