Tiffany Yellow Diamond
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Tiffany Yellow Diamond in "Bird on a Rock" |
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| Weight | 128.54 carats (25.708 g) |
|---|---|
| Color | yellow |
| Cut | Modified antique cushion brilliant |
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Mine of origin | Kimberley mine |
| Date discovered | 1878 |
| Cut by | George Frederick Kunz |
| Current owner | Tiffany & Co. |
The Tiffany Yellow Diamond is one of the largest fancy yellow diamonds ever discovered; it weighed 287.42 carats (57.484 g) in the rough when discovered in 1878 in the Kimberley mine in South Africa, and was cut into a cushion shape of 128.54 carats (25.708 g) with 90 facets - 32 more than a traditional round brilliant - to maximize its brilliance.
Discovered in South Africa in 1877, the stone was purchased by New York jeweler Charles Tiffany. His gemologist, George Frederick Kunz studied the gem for a year before beginning to cut it; reducing it from 287 carats (57.5g) to its current size. The cutting was carried out in Paris. Kunz was a mere 23 years old at the time.
The gem was on loan from Tiffany & Co. to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. and was on display until 23 September, 2007.
The diamond is known to have have been worn by only 2 women during its lifetime. It was worn by Mrs. Sheldon Whitehouse at the 1957 Tiffany Ball held in Newport, Rhode Island, mounted for the occasion in a necklace of white diamonds.[1] It was subsequently worn by Audrey Hepburn.[citation needed]
- ^ "The Tiffany Yellow", Famous Diamonds,
