The most emblematic pieces of High Jewellery

Jewellery, throughout history, has been more than just ornaments; it has been a symbol of wealth, power and social status. They have also been the protagonists of many historical and cinematic events.

In this article, we take you on a tour of some of the most iconic jewels in history.

The most famous jewels in history

Hope Diamond

We begin our tour with Hope Diamond, one of the world’s most famous diamonds. It is believed to have been mined in India in the 17th century and has passed through the hands of numerous kings and queens, including Louis XIV of France and Queen Victoria.

This navy blue diamond, weighing some 45.52 carats, is surrounded by superstition and despite its beauty, its history hides mysteries and tragedies that make it an intriguing treasure.

The Peregrine Pearl

Continuing on our journey, we find the Peregrine pearl, another iconic jewel considered one of the most important in Europe. This unique 2.55 centimetre-long drop-shaped pearl is believed to have been found in the archipelago of Panama during the 16th century. It arrived in Spain immediately after during the reign of Philip II and remained in the possession of the Spanish Crown until 1808, when Joseph Bonaparte took it to France at the beginning of his reign.

Elizabeth Taylor is the last known owner of this jewel. After the death of the Hollywood legend, the piece, considered to be the finest natural pearl in the world, was put up for auction and fetched a final price of almost 9 million euros.

The Koh-i-Noor Diamond

A jewel that has captivated kings and emperors throughout history is the Koh-i-Noor diamond (105 carats), once the largest diamond in the world. Hailing from India (Andhra Pradesh) in the 14th century, it has been coveted by many Mughal emperors and is currently in the possession of the British crown, set in the crown of the Queen Mother. Its size and brilliance make the jewel, also known as the Mountain of Light, stand out as one of the most impressive gems ever discovered.

Diana and Kate’s Royal Engagement Ring

Moving into royalty, we find Princess Diana of Wales’ engagement ring, an iconic sapphire and diamond ring designed by Cartier. It was a gift from Prince Charles to Diana of Wales when they became engaged in 1981. The ring has gone through several stages, becoming the property of Prince William of Wales, who gave it to his now ex-wife, Kate Middleton, when they became engaged in 2010. A ring that has carried with it stories of love and royal legacy.

Stone from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.

In the world of cinema, jewellery has also had its moment of glory. A 128.54 carat yellow diamond, known as the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” stone, sparkled in the 1961 film of the same name, known in Spain as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.

This treasure was discovered in South Africa, in the Kimberley diamond mines more than a century ago. This precious stone is owned by Tiffany & Co. and is on display in its Fifth Avenue shop in New York. Today it is worth more than 200 million euros.

The Hutton-Mdivani necklace

Among the most valuable pieces is the Hutton-Mdivani necklace, a design by the prestigious house of Cartier in 1933. It was Franklin Laws Hutton who commissioned this necklace for his daughter, Barbara Hutton. The necklace, a combination of diamonds and green jade beads with a diameter of 15 m.m., is completed with a ruby clasp.

On 7 April 2015, this jewellery masterpiece returned to the Cartier family at auction in Hong Kong, where it fetched $27.4 million.

Dresden Green Diamond

Finishing our historical tour, we find the Dresden Green Diamond, a 41 carat green diamond with 58 facets and an irregular cut that came from India in 1772. Since then, it has become one of the most precious jewels in the State Diamond and Jewellery Collection in Dresden, Germany.

These iconic jewels are not only pieces of great value and beauty, but also silent witnesses to the history and culture of mankind. Each with its own history, legacy and mystery. Fine jewellery allows us to travel back in time and explore the splendour of bygone eras.

Other jewellery that is part of history

The history of jewellery is marked by a wide variety of examples that have left their mark on the world of jewellery. While the above examples are notable, it is important to recognise that there is a much wider range of gems and creations of historical and aesthetic value.

The “Graff Pink” diamond distinguishes itself as a representative of fine jewellery thanks to its intense pink hue. The “Star of Asia”, also known as the “Star of Adam”, is an outstanding sapphire gemstone that is characterised by its six-rayed asterism effect, generating a particular visual phenomenon. Likewise, Grace Kelly’s engagement ring, with its emerald-cut diamond and round diamonds, has endured through time as a symbol of love.

These are just some of the most remarkable jewels in both history and beauty. In a world in constant exploration, it is possible that there are still precious stones to be discovered, and creativity continues to give life to new jewels that contribute to the evolution of this art over time.

Ideal Joyeros are distributors of fine jewellery. We invite you to visit our jewellery collection on our website.