Colorado | The Most Beautiful Diamonds America’s
While diamonds often evoke images of exotic locales, the United States boasts its own hidden gems, notably in Colorado. In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of diamonds found in the United States, delve into the stories behind some of the biggest diamonds discovered in America, and uncover the allure of the most expensive diamonds sold at auction worldwide.
Are Diamonds Found in the United States?
Contrary to popular belief, diamonds are indeed found in the United States, and Colorado is home to some remarkable discoveries. The Centennial State holds a wealth of geological wonders, including diamond deposits. The Kelsey Lake Diamond Mine in Colorado, for instance, has yielded diamonds of various sizes and colors, contributing to the nation’s unique diamond narrative. Here are some notable areas where diamonds have been discovered:
Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas:
Located near Murfreesboro, Arkansas, this state park is known for being the only diamond-producing site open to the public. Visitors can search for diamonds in a designated area, and any diamonds they find are theirs to keep. Notable diamonds, including the Amarillo Starlight and the Eureka Diamond, have been found at this park.
Kelsey Lake Diamond Mine, Colorado:
The Kelsey Lake Diamond Mine in Colorado was known for producing diamonds, including the famous Uncle Sam Diamond, which, at 40.23 carats, was the largest diamond ever discovered in the U.S. until 1990.
Wyoming:
In Wyoming, the Sloan Ranch Diamond Project has been exploring potential diamond deposits. While not as well-known as some other diamond-producing regions, Wyoming has shown promise in terms of diamond exploration.
It’s important to note that while the U.S. has diamond deposits, the scale of commercial diamond production is not as extensive as in some other countries like Russia, Botswana, or Canada. However, the presence of diamonds in the U.S. adds to the country’s geological diversity and showcases the potential for valuable gemstone discoveries.
5 of the Biggest Diamonds Found In America:
The United States has been home to several notable diamond discoveries, showcasing the diverse and rich geological landscape of the country. Here are five of the biggest diamonds found in America:
Uncle Sam Diamond (40.23 carats):
Location: Murfreesboro, Arkansas
Discovery Year: 1924
Description: The Uncle Sam Diamond, discovered at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, is the largest diamond ever found in the U.S. until 1990. Its impressive size and historical significance led to its display at the Smithsonian Institution.
Amarillo Starlight Diamond (16.37 carats):
Location: Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas
Discovery Year: 1975
Description: Unearthed by W. W. Johnson, the Amarillo Starlight Diamond is a notable find at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. It showcases exceptional clarity and a vibrant yellow color, making it one of the park’s prized discoveries.
Kahn Canary Diamond (70 carats):
Location: Arkansas
Discovery Year: Not specified
Description: The Kahn Canary Diamond is a significant find from Arkansas, showcasing a substantial size of 70 carats. Its distinct yellow color adds to the diversity of diamonds discovered in the state.
Eureka Diamond (21.25 carats):
Location: Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas
Discovery Year: 1995
Description: The Eureka Diamond, found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, is known for its unique green hue. Its discovery in the park, where visitors can hunt for diamonds, highlights the geological diversity of diamonds in Arkansas.
Foxfire Diamond (187.63 carats):
Location: Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas
Discovery Year: 2015
Description: The Foxfire Diamond is the largest diamond ever found in the U.S. It was discovered by park visitor Bobbie Oskarson at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, weighing an astounding 187.63 carats.
Ten of the Most Expensive Diamonds Sold at Auction
The auction world has witnessed some extraordinary diamonds fetching record-breaking prices. Here are ten of the most expensive diamonds ever sold at auction:
Pink Star (59.60 carats):
Price: Sold for $71.2 million
Year of Sale: 2017
Auction House: Sotheby’s
Description: The Pink Star is a vivid pink diamond that set the record for the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction. Its intense color and exceptional size contributed to its staggering price.
Oppenheimer Blue (14.62 carats):
Price: Sold for $50.6 million
Year of Sale: 2016
Auction House: Christie’s
Description: Named after its previous owner, the Oppenheimer Blue is a flawless blue diamond. Its record-breaking sale highlighted the rarity and desirability of blue diamonds.
Blue Moon (12.03 carats):
Price: Sold for $48.5 million
Year of Sale: 2015
Auction House: Sotheby’s
Description: The Blue Moon, a vivid blue diamond, captivated bidders with its extraordinary color and size. Its sale reaffirmed the premium prices commanded by top-quality blue diamonds.
Graff Pink (24.78 carats):
Price: Sold for $46 million
Year of Sale: 2010
Auction House: Sotheby’s
Description: The Graff Pink, a mesmerizing pink diamond, was part of the private collection of Laurence Graff. Its sale set a record for the highest price ever paid for a pink diamond at that time.
Blue Moon of Josephine (12.03 carats):
Price: Sold for $48.5 million
Year of Sale: 2015
Auction House: Sotheby’s
Description: The Blue Moon of Josephine is a cushion-cut blue diamond that captured attention for its exquisite color and clarity. Its sale price reflected the demand for exceptional blue diamonds.
Pink Promise (14.93 carats):
Price: Sold for $32.1 million
Year of Sale: 2017
Auction House: Christie’s
Description: The Pink Promise is a vivid pink diamond known for its impressive size and intense color saturation. Its sale emphasized the continued popularity of top-quality pink diamonds.
The Perfect Pink (14.23 carats):
Price: Sold for $14 million
Year of Sale: 2010
Auction House: Christie’s
Description: The Perfect Pink is an oval-cut pink diamond that fetched a significant price at auction, reflecting the desirability of well-cut and vibrant pink diamonds.
The Winston Blue (13.22 carats):
Price: Sold for $23.8 million
Year of Sale: 2014
Auction House: Christie’s
Description: Named after the legendary jeweler Harry Winston, The Winston Blue is a flawless blue diamond with exceptional clarity and a deep blue color.
The Moussaieff Red (5.11 carats):
Price: Estimated value of over $20 million
Description: The Moussaieff Red is one of the rarest diamonds due to its intense red color. While its exact sale price isn’t publicly disclosed, its rarity contributes to its significant value.
The Moussaieff Blue (20.17 carats):
Price: Estimated value of over $20 million
Description: The Moussaieff Blue is an exceptional blue diamond known for its deep and captivating color. While not publicly sold, it is considered one of the world’s most valuable diamonds
Conclusion
Colorado, with its diamond treasures, contributes to the rich tapestry of diamond discoveries in the United States. From impressive finds on American soil to the dazzling allure of the world’s most expensive diamonds, the diamond narrative spans continents and centuries, reflecting the enduring fascination with these exquisite gemstones.…