Jewels and precious stones have adorned kings, queens, and nobles from ancient times. Even today, precious stones and opulent jewelry are highly valued and sought after. Still, certain jewels proved to be truly remarkable. Ori Vechler, the founder of Gemma Fine Jewelry, takes us through five world-famous jewels that define our global cultural heritage.

The La Peregrina Pearl

The La Peregrina Pearl is considered one of the most famous pearls in the world, having been worn by Queen Mary of England and Elizabeth Taylor. The pearl was discovered off Panama’s coast in the mid-16th century and gifted to King Phillip II of Spain. The king later presented the 58.5-carat pearl to Queen Mary of England as a bridal gift. Many years later, actor Richard Burton purchased the pearl at a Sotheby’s auction for $37,000 and gave it to Elizabeth Taylor as a Valentine’s Day present.

The Hope Diamond

The Hope diamond is world-renowned and considered by many to be the inspiration for the fictional Heart of The Ocean diamond in the Oscar-winning film Titanic.  The 45.52-carat blue diamond is said to have traveled initially from India. Its first owner is believed to have been King Louis XIV of France. The king took possession of the diamond sometime in 1668, but it was later stolen from his court. The diamond now resides in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

The Dresden Green Diamond

The Dresden Green diamond was mined within the Golconda region of India. The 41-carat diamond first reached historical prominence within the early 18th century, when it was purchased by Friedrich Augustus I of Saxony. The Dresden Green diamond is considered to be the largest natural green diamond in the world. The stunning stone is now kept on display at Dresden Castle in Germany.

The Tiffany Diamond

The iconic yellow Tiffany Diamond is recognized worldwide as a symbol of the Tiffany & Co. brand. The diamond was mined from South Africa in 1877 and once weighed in at a staggering 288 carats. In 1878 Charles Lewis Tiffany had the stone cut down to 128.54 carats after he purchased it. One of the most iconic appearances of the Tiffany Diamond was when Audrey Hepburn modeled it in publicity photographs for the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

The Cora Sun-Drop Diamond

The Cora Sun-Drop diamond is believed to be one of the oldest diamonds globally, said to have formed within the earth’s crust somewhere between 1 and 3 billion years ago. The 110.3-carat pear-shaped diamond was unearthed in South Africa in 2010. The diamond’s “vivid fancy yellow” hue was created within the diamond by molecules of nitrogen trapped in carbon molecules that hardened over thousands of years. 

These defining treasures are undoubtedly five of the most world-famous jewels that define our global cultural heritage, as per Ori Vechler.