Hello everyone! We have made it to the sixth edition of Who-What-Wear-Wednesday. Before we dive into our topic of the week, it is worth noting that Gem Steady will be having a trunk show this evening at OBSCURA, in downtown Cincinnati. Catch a glimpse of the latest jewels by the brilliant husband and wife team, Brittany and Bobby of Gem Steady. They are sure to have magnificent couture pieces that will make the perfect gift for the lovely ladies in your life! The fabulous luxury handbag company, Kathryn Allen Couture, will also be at the trunk show. Hmm, jewels and alligator skin handbags? Now that is one glamorous party! Festivities run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the address will be included below.

In honor of Gem Steady’s huge accomplishment, our post today is all about opulence. It has been said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and we are about to take that saying to a whole new level. Today we will be swooning over the largest diamonds in the world. Be prepared to feast you eyes upon diamonds so huge, they would give you instant carpel tunnel if you wore them as a ring.

First, we need to catch up on a little background of the diamond mining business. The largest mine to date is the Orapa mine in Botswana. The Orapa mine looks like a giant underground cyclone. Since operations began at the mine in 1971, the land went from a small hole to a crater you would see on another planet. Other locations with lucrative mines are South Africa, Zimbabwe, Russia, Indonesia, and even Arkansas. Mining is all about luck, and one could spend months searching and still leave a mine empty handed. It takes a curious eye, good sunlight, and the willingness to get extremely dirty in order to find a diamond. Although, one can’t expect the most iconic symbol of wealth and glamour to come easily.

Now we are ready to embark on our tour of the top record-breaking diamonds that have ever graced the earth’s presence.

Our journey begins with a diamond discovered at the Premier mine near Pretoria South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan Diamond weighed in at 1.37 pounds, and had an estimated carat weight of 3,106. This enormous rock was so big, that it was cut into 9 different jewelry-quality stones. The largest cut from the Cullinan is still the largest polished white diamond in the world.

&nbs… — The raw Cullinan Diamond, prior to being cut.

Frederick Wells who discovered the magnificent diamond almost passed the Cullinan up while he was making his rounds on a typical day. He thought the diamond’s shine was nothing but a shard of glass deviously glistening in the sunshine. Luckily, Wells let his curiosity take over, and he made the discovery. Queen Elizabeth owns a broach with one of the diamonds cut from the massive Cullinan, but she has never been photographed wearing it. She claims the broach is too large, and “gets in the soup.” The largest cut from the Cullinan, named the Cullinan 1 is worth an estimated $400 million.

Our next stunning stone is golden and shines like the suns bright rays. The Golden Jubilee diamond was discovered in 1985 at the same mine as the Cullinan, and it proves that South Africa has produced some of the finest diamonds to ever grace our presence. The Golden Jubilee weighs in at 545 carats and it gives off a bronze sheen that is almost blinding. The color of this diamond exudes warmth, and it is a fascinating stone to look at. It’s as if the power of the sun was encompassed in this magnificent natural beauty. The original name of this stunner was the “Unknown Brown”, but it quickly earned a more respectable and interesting name. The estimated value of this gorgeous gem is around $12 million. The thought of something more luxurious than this amazing diamond is nearly impossible.

Our next diamond is also a golden goddess, but this stone’s unique shape makes it stand out in a crowd of other enormous diamonds. The “Incomparable Diamond” was discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 1980’s by a young girl who was playing in a pile of debris near her Uncle’s house. She had discovered a diamond weighing in at 890 carats that was later sold by her uncle to diamond dealers.

&nbs… — The Incomparable Diamond in its' raw state.

The Incomparable Diamond is truly unique from other diamonds, and it has been criticized for its' deformities. The diamond is slightly sunken in on one side, and the odd triangle shape is very far from flawless. In its’ raw state, the huge golden gem was ripe with cavities, and cracks, but it was polished into a marvelous stone. Despite the criticism it has received, this diamond is very special and beautiful. The shape is reminiscent of a freshly bloomed tulip, and the glistening golden color is sure to capture the attention of anyone who looks in its' direction. The diamond was once auctioned for $12 million, even though the sellers hoped to receive $20 million for the golden beauty.

&nbs… — It may not be perfect, but this huge diamond is truly incomparable.

It is fascinating to think that the earth can create such meticulously beautiful things. Our wildest ideas of glamour start miles beneath the earth’s surface, surrounded by dirt and rocks. Beauty can be found all over, even right under your feet.

Have you ever mined for diamonds? What would you do if you discovered the next Cullinan Diamond? If I discovered a diamond that large, I would send it right over to Gem Steady to let Brittany and the Whittle Master whip up a work of out-of-this-world art! Show us your favorite diamond pieces! #gemsteady

We hope to see all of you at the trunk show tonight! The address is 645 Walnut Street, Cincinnati OH, 45202