One of the most famous diamonds in recent years was the well publicized “Burton-Taylor” diamond.  Originally called the “No Name Diamond”, the spectacular 69.42 carat tear drop shape diamond went to auction in 1969 in New York City.

The fifty sixth largest cut diamond in the world was sold by Harry Winston in 1967 to Mrs. Harriet Annenberg-Ames.  The diamond became the focus of the Parke-Bernet auction as buyers competed to purchase and name the diamond.  Richard Burton, the famous movie star, waited at his home in Switzerland as the auctioneers flew the diamond to him for his approval. However, the historic sale took an unexpected turn, Cartier out bid Mr. Burton and purchased the diamond for $1,050,000.00.   Richard Burton’s passion was intense as he was determined not to lose the beautiful tear drop diamond for his love, Elizabeth Taylor.  Mr. Burton bought the diamond four days later from Cartier for $1, 100, 00.00; as Cartier states “they made a nominal profit.”

Elizabeth Taylor waited patiently for her illustrious gem as Cartier exhibited the diamond in New York and Chicago creating huge publicity.  The New York Times published an article about the famous diamond claiming that people were waiting in long lines to see the ‘diamond as big as the Ritz.’

“Originally I wore the diamond as a ring, but even for me it was too big so we had Cartier design a necklace” states Taylor.

The Burton-Taylor diamond made it first appearance in Monaco at Princess Grace Kelly’s fortieth birthday party. Elizabeth Taylor wore it with a black velvet cape with scorpion motifs to celebrate the Princess’s astrological sign.

The “No Name Diamond” finally had a name: it is forever called “Burton-Taylor Diamond.”

Janet Deleuse

Deleuse Jewelers  415-435-2484

 
The “Eureka” started a fashion craze.   Found in 1868 in South Africa, the first known yellow diamond was not a small one—the Eureka weighed 21carats!

Yellow diamonds were dubbed “Cape Diamond” after the find in Africa.  Today all diamonds with a strong color whether it is yellow, blue, pink red or green are referred to as a “Fancy Diamonds.”  Millions of dollars are spent on fancy diamonds every year throughout the world as the values of never drop drastically.

Some of the most beautiful fancy diamonds have become famous---for instance the Hope Diamond, originally known as the “French Blue”, became a legend.  The “Idol’ Eye” diamond, a 70.2carat semi round fancy blue was said to be the eye of a sacred image in an Indian temple.   In 1607 the Prince Rahabof Persia paid his debts to the East India Company with the Idol Eye diamond.

The 128.51 carat “Tiffany Diamond” is a deep vibrant yellow.  The most famous yellow diamond in the world  is a golden 205.07 carat called the “Red Cross”.

The varying yellow shades of diamonds are caused by the presence of nitrogen within the carbon structure.  The yellow color ranges from a faint yellow tinge to a deep ‘canary’ yellow color.  The canary color is the most rare and valuable of the yellow diamonds.   Chameleon diamonds are extremely rare--can you imagine diamonds that are yellow by night and green by day? 

Click on the ring photos to view descriptions and prices. Deleuse Jewelers 415-435-2484

Janet Deleuse