Paragon (diamond)

A paragon is a perfect diamond — flawless and without inclusions. In the 16th century, a weight of 12 carats (2.4 g) was sufficient for this title but now, more than 99 carats (20 g) are needed.[1]

The largest flawless diamond in the world is known as The Paragon — a D-class gem weighing 137.82 carats (27.56 g),[2] which is the 10th largest white diamond in the world. [3] The gem was mined in Brazil and attracted attention for being an exceptional white, flawless stone of great size.[4] Mayfair jewellers, Graff Diamonds,[5] bought it in Antwerp, cut it into an unusual 7-sided kite shield configuration and set it in a necklace which separates to both necklace and bracelet lengths. Apart from the main stone, this necklace also contains rare pink, blue and yellow diamonds making a total weight of 190.27 carats (38.05 g).[6] The necklace has associations with the end of the millennium and was worn by supermodel Naomi Campbell at a prestigious diamond gala held by De Beers and Versace at Sion House in 1999.[7]

References

  1. ^ Joan Younger Dickinson (2001), The Book of Diamonds, p. 215, ISBN 9780486418162, http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2K8rVeAhlZsC 
  2. ^ Graff Jewelry Company, LUXemag, 21 June 2009, http://www.luxemag.org/jewellery-watches/graff-jewelry-company.html 
  3. ^ Dan McDougal (19 December 2008), The world's largest white diamond s, London: Daily Mail, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1093169/Diamonds-arent-forever-The-decline-gem-industry.html 
  4. ^ Dictionary of Gems and Gemology, Springer, 2005, pp. 558–619, doi:10.1007/3-540-27269-0_16, ISBN 978-3-540-23970-3 
  5. ^ Murphy, Robert (March 1, 2008), "In the cut", W, http://www.wmagazine.com/accessories/2008/03/graff_diamonds?currentPage=1 
  6. ^ Julia Neel (12 August 2009), "The Paragon", Vogue, http://www.vogue.co.uk/jewellery/news/090812-graff-paragon-diamond.aspx/Gallery,Necklaces/ 
  7. ^ Suzy Menkes (June 15, 1999), "Those Sparkling Celebrities", The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/15/style/15iht-diamonds.2.t.html 

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