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The
777-carat rough diamond that was eventually transformed into the 203.04-carat
"Millennium Star" diamond was discovered in the Mbuji-Mayi district of Zaire (Democratic Republic of the
Congo), in 1990.
The
discovery set off a gold-rush type of influx of diggers hoping to find a
similar stone. But, as it was the only stone of this type found in the
present millennium, statistically the odds are against finding another one
within the next few hundred years or so.
The
203.04-carat (40.608 g), finished diamond was unnamed until October
1999, when it was unveiled to the world, as the centerpiece
of the De Beers Millennium diamond collection, by the Chairman of De Beers
Nicky Oppenheimer, who christened the diamond "The Millennium
Star."
The
Millennium Star is a D-color, pear-shaped, diamond
with an internally flawless clarity grade (IF). It is said to be the second
largest faceted, D-color, flawless, diamond in the
world after the 273.85-carat Centenary Diamond. The Millennium Star is said
to be the only diamond in the world that is both internally and externally
flawless.
It
was purchased by De Beers during the height of the country's Civil War that
took place in the early to mid-nineties. It was decided to cut the rough in
three pieces. The Millennium Star is the outcome of the largest piece.
The
stone was cut perfectly to proportions by Nir Livnat and the other cutters of the famous Steinmetz
Diamond Group. This group of experts took about three years to cut and
fashion this sparkling gem in a perfect pear shape using lasers. In fact the
cutting was so flawless that not even one burn or scratch mark was visible on
the facets of the diamond.
It
was learned, however, that some 100 plastic models of the original rough were
made, and these were almost all used to plan and design the optimum polished
stone, both in terms of beauty and weight. The stone's classic
pear shape totals 54 facets.
It
was first displayed in October 1999 as the centerpiece
of the De Beers Millennium diamond collection. The collection also includes
eleven blue diamonds totaling
118 carats (23.6 g) and The Heart of Eternity. They were displayed
at London’s Millennium Dome over 2000. There was an attempt on November
7, 2000 to steal the collection but the Metropolitan Police discovered the
plot and arrested the robbers before their escape.
French
actress Sophie Marceau holding the Millennium Star diamond
The Millennium
Star is the sixth largest white diamond in the globe. Later in 2003, the Millennium
Star was also displayed at the ‘Splendour of Diamonds
Exhibition’ that was held at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC.
All
famous diamonds
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