Diamonds are precious not only because of their irresistible beauty, but also because of their long and glorious history. The word "diamond" comes from Greek, meaning "invincible".
This is new york, USA, the world's most famous jeweler Henry? Winston lives on Fifth Avenue.
Hope diamonds, known as "bad luck diamonds", are carefully cared for here.
There is a story behind every diamond, and I hope diamonds are no exception. This is a rare blue diamond weighing 46 carats. For more than 200 years, although all kinds of unknown legends have been with it, it still hasn't stopped people from competing to become its owners.
Its ultimate owner, Henry? Winston is a legendary businessman. In his career of more than 50 years, one third of the most famous diamonds in the world have experienced his hands. In addition to the royal collection, he also owns the most precious jewelry collection in the world.
Diamonds are precious not only because of their irresistible beauty, but also because of their long and glorious history.
Diamonds were first discovered in rivers in India about 2500 years ago. In ancient society, diamonds were considered special, and the word "diamond" came from Greek, meaning "invincible".
Many people firmly believe that diamonds contain supernatural power, which can bring good luck and drive away evil. Warriors wear diamonds because they believe that the hardness of diamonds can make them invincible.
At first, Indians found that only diamonds could cut the diamond itself. In the14th century, they used diamond powder to process and polish diamonds, thus making them more beautiful. However, in the process of polishing, don't overdo it, otherwise, the diamond may lose its magical power.
Perhaps the "Big Mughal" is the biggest diamond in the world. But Tavernier doesn't like it very much, not because the diamond cutting is not ideal, but because of the lack of intriguing experience.
/kloc-in the 0/7th century, the wealth of Indians spread to Europe. French cowboy? Tawell beat us to it. Tavernier's family is good at making maps, so he likes traveling very much. In fact, what fascinates him more is diamonds. In diamonds, Tavernier found a satisfaction of longing for rare and beautiful things, and at the same time he could gather personal wealth.
During the period of 1638, the second destination of Tavernier's six eastward trips was Gorkangda in southern India. This place is the most important diamond center in ancient times and the origin of some of the most famous diamonds in the world. The biggest and best gems are privately owned by the ruler of Golconda.
During his trip, Tavernier described hundreds of different shapes and colors of jewels he witnessed, including diamonds called "Big Mughal".
The owner of the gem put a big, rose-shaped diamond in Tavernier's hand. This is such a beautiful and charming diamond, weighing 280 carats.
Perhaps the "Big Mughal" is the biggest diamond in the world. But Tavernier doesn't like it very much, not because the diamond cutting is not ideal, but because of the lack of intriguing experience.
Tavernier didn't see the most famous diamond called "Mountain of Light". According to the records, that diamond has existed since BC. According to legend, whoever can get it can dominate the whole world.
1739, leader of Persian warlord Nadir? Shah conquered the northern Indian city of Delhi and vowed to save this magical gem.
A woman in the inner palace of India told me that diamonds were hidden in the headscarf of the Mughal emperor. So Nadir arranged a grand banquet. To show friendship, he suggested exchanging headscarves according to oriental etiquette.
When the Mughal emperor took off his turban, a dazzling diamond rolled down, and the Persian ruler couldn't help shouting, "This is the mountain of light!" " "
The diamond got its name, but unfortunately Nadir didn't enjoy the diamond to his heart's content. The "Mountain of Light" diamond is the witness of some bloody events in Persian history. /kloc-returned to India in 0/813.
Thirty years later, India succumbed to British rule. This diamond eventually became one of the royal jewelry collections. "Mountain of Light" has a bad reputation and is said to bring misfortune to men. Queen Victoria is a superstitious person. She stipulated that diamonds could not be passed on to the reigning king, but only to the queen. At first, the way for Indians to identify diamonds was to compare and identify them in clear streams. The best diamonds are colorless. Tavernier took the method of identifying diamonds one step further. He classified diamonds according to their cutting conditions, weight, color and clarity, which laid the foundation for later diamond classification.
But for Tavernier, the greatest value of diamonds lies in its history. Otherwise, his interest will be greatly reduced.
1669, Tavernier returned to France, and he brought the magical oriental legend back to the French palace. Besides, his diamond collection is unprecedented in the West.
French court life reached the peak of luxury in the period of Louis 14. Fascinated by Tavernier's collection, the king finally decided to buy 44 large diamonds and thousands of smaller diamonds, including a blue diamond weighing 1 12 carats.
It is said that this gem is an eye stolen from a Hindu god, so it will bring its owner more than 200 years of bad luck. After cutting, the sapphire weighs 67 carats. Before contracting deadly smallpox, the king only wore this diamond once. His successor, Louis XV, was forbidden to touch it. But in the period of Louis XVI, the situation was very different. Queen Mary? Antoinette has a soft spot for diamonds.
Frederick? Wells was shocked by the huge diamond he found. But Cullinan said disapprovingly, "Maybe it's just a big crystal stone." ...
Tavernier's trip to India aroused Europeans' love for diamonds. 100 years later, an Englishman developed this emotion into a great ambition to build an empire.
Diamonds were discovered in South Africa in the 1960s. In an instant, the originally barren land became the most valuable real estate in the world.
A young Englishman came to South Africa and started a new life. He's Cecil? Rhodes. Although he is only 18 years old, he has the desire to swear to get rich.
In Kimberly, a city in central South Africa, Rhodes formed an alliance with another Englishman. Rhodes thinks diamonds are in sight. He said to his companion, "it's time for the villain to show his talents." We should mine as large as possible, and now we should pay for it immediately. "
In 2000, Kimberlite was divided into independent ownership. Rhodes' shrewdness lies in his recognition of these different owners, but he must master the right to control the supply of diamonds and adjust the price of diamonds.
1880, he set up a mining company, and then concentrated on buying all the shares of Kimberly. In the process, he met the biggest obstacle: Barney, a diamond dealer in east London? Barnato is also engaged in the same business. Who can stand out?
One day, Rhodes invited Barnato to visit his diamond collection. At that time, Rhodes poured all his money into diamonds, so he was in urgent need of cash to buy Kimberlite.
As Rhodes expected, Barnato agreed to buy a large part of diamonds. However, Rhodes knows very well that his opponent wants to throw these diamonds into the market together, thus reducing the price of Rhodes' reserved diamonds.
In order not to let his opponent's plan succeed, Rhodes' intelligence once again played a role. Barnato needs to reclassify diamonds before selling them, which will take several weeks, which is enough for Rhodes to take the opportunity to raise the price of the required funds.
1888, Rhodes bought Barnato's profits in Kimberly Mine, and the face value of the check reached the highest at that time, equivalent to the current186 million US dollars. In this way, Rhodes gained 90% control over the world diamond production. At the same time, Rhodes laid the foundation for establishing the largest diamond enterprise in history. In fact, he didn't expect such a large number of diamonds to roll in.
1902, Thomas? Cullinan found diamonds on his farm in transvaal province. This mine named "No.1" is destined to become "the largest diamond producing area in history".
The mining manager is Frederick? Wells. 1one day in June, 905, he made a surprise discovery: generate gave off bright light in the crack of the wall. When he poked around with the knife he carried, he realized that it was a high-quality diamond. Frederick? Wells was shocked by the huge diamond he found. But Cullinan said disapprovingly, "Maybe it's just a big crystal stone."
In fact, this stone named Cullinan is not a crystal stone, but an almost flawless blue and white diamond, weighing 3 106 carats. No private person can afford it, so the mine owner decided to sell the diamonds to the government of transvaal province. 1907, prime minister of transvaal province Luis? To show his sincerity, General Botha gave this diamond to Britain as a birthday present on the 66th birthday of King Edward VII of England.
The world-famous Amsterdam contract in the Netherlands? Aschar company undertakes the heavy responsibility of cutting diamonds. What is the most skilled company? Ashcar is duty-bound to undertake the mission of cutting Cullinan. Finally, the diamond was successfully cut into 9 pieces. It took three craftsmen eight months to finish the polishing process. The largest one was named "African Star", which attracted the attention of the British royal family. This 530-carat diamond has always maintained the title of the largest white polished diamond in the world.
Winston's personal love for diamonds has successfully ignited people's feelings for diamonds. Diamonds are eternal.
A new generation of diamond lovers are more interested in the magical history of diamonds. The "French Blue" presented by jeweler Tavernier to King Louis XIV of France has disappeared for more than 200 years, but it has returned.
Although it has been re-cut, the rare color of the diamond itself has been affirmed by experts. Now, people call it "Hope Diamond", and it still seems to have ominous signs.
Tragedy after tragedy befell diamond owners. Although one of the most famous owners, Evalian? McClane questioned this, but she didn't escape bad luck: her husband, son and daughter died one after another. But she still can't give up her fascination with "Hope Diamond" and still wears it often.
In Evarian? When McClane died in 1947, the price of "Hope Diamond" was $65,438+$077,000. Two years later, new york jeweler Henry? In spite of all kinds of legends, Winston bought the diamond.
Out of his love for gems, he traveled all over the world in order to find the biggest and best gems. India, with its exotic traditions, has a strong attraction to Winston, because it is the place where diamonds were first discovered and regarded as treasures.
At first, Winston's success was that he turned old diamonds into new things, such as headdresses. But these decorations are out of date, and their value has been greatly reduced. Winston was not satisfied with the old design in the past, but developed a new style, which fully reflected the charm of diamonds.
Now, because people have mastered modern cutting technology, they know how to make diamonds more dazzling. In this way, the value of diamonds is greatly improved.
Winston's personal love for diamonds has successfully ignited people's feelings for diamonds. He persuaded customers with magical legends and tortuous stories.
1958, one of his great life dreams finally came true. He donated his collection of historic diamonds. Thanks to his donation, the famous "Hope Diamond" became the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. ..
Who knows how to appreciate the beauty and value of diamonds and Henry? Winston shared the true meaning of what the ancients called "invincible" diamonds.
Diamonds are eternal.