Oct

The Incomparable Diamond

The Incomparable diamond had as rough stone with the weigh of 890 carats. It was found in the in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire). Its discovery dates in the 1980s and it was purely accidental. A little girl playing in a pile of sand (original from MIBA Diamond Mine dumps) found an interesting stone and gave it to her uncle. He later sold the rough diamond to some local African diamond dealers.

Rough Incomparable Diamond

The Incomparable diamond had many owners until it was put on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. The job of cutting this rough diamond wasn’t easy and it was given to Mr. Samuels due to his experience in large diamonds. The shape of what it was to be The Incomparable diamond presented a few problems. Its irregularity made the cutting expert spend four years in studying the stone before making the first cut.

The Incomparable Diamond mounted

After determining the interior inclusion of the diamond and its beauty, another problem triggered the attention of the experts: whether they make a huge gem out of it, with a weight exceeding the Cullinan’s or to aim for the perfection and fashion a smaller one. Two years that dilemma tormented the cutters. It was a big decision after all. Despite the opinions of those who believed that size should be chosen over perfection, the owners concluded that they want a stunningly beautiful perfect diamond, even if is not the largest cut.

The Incomparable Diamond and its Satellites

Remaining fragments from the rough diamond were studied also with intensity, and the 14 pieces of “leftovers” were able to fascinate even more the diamond experts. Their color wasn’t homogeneous and similar to that of the large diamond. It is believed that these variations of color must have happened due to different changes in the moments the diamond was created. The fragments were later called the Satellites and they are on display also.

The unusual triangular shape of the resulted Incomparable diamond made its cutter, Marvin Samuels, find an imaginary term for it. It was called a “triolette.” Today, the stone is owned by Louis Glick who bought it an auction for $12 million.

Be Sociable, Share!