Famous Diamonds: The Kimberly Diamond

A Flawless, 70-carat, step cut, champagne-colored diamond that was found in the Kimberly Mine, South Africa. It was recut into this modern shape in 1921 from a large, flat stone that was once in the Russian Crown Jewels. In 1958, the diamond was again recut by its owners, Baumgold Bros., New York City, to improve the proportions and increase brilliancy. It now weighs 55.09 carats and is valued by the firm at $500,000, but is probably worth considerably more. Baumgold Bros. sold the diamond in 1971 to an undisclosed collector.