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The Oppenheimer Diamond, named after the feted South African gold mining entrepreneur- Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, is one of the biggest uncut diamonds on the globe. The Oppenheimer Diamond is a yellow diamond crystal weighing about 253.7 carat (50.74 g).
The Oppenheimer Diamond is a perfect octahedron. It is the common shape which most of the earth’s natural diamonds have. In fact the Oppenheimer Diamond has also been regarded as one of the huge crystals in the world. Many crystals have been found in the earth’s surface, but most of them have been cut into diamond gemstones. But the Oppenheimer Diamond still exists in its natural form. Thus it is a unique opportunity for the stone lovers to see this enormous crystal which is displayed at the Smithsonian’s.
However the Oppenheimer Diamond cannot be called a gem as it is uncut. Only those mineral crystals that have been polished and cut can be regarded as gems.
The Oppenheimer Diamond was first discovered in Dutoitspan Mine of Kimberley in South Africa in the year 1964. It was later acquired by Harry Winston, the famous American jeweler who had an amazing collection of precious stones and gems.
Harry Winston actually bought the Oppenheimer Diamond from De Beers, the famous diamond merchants and gifted the Oppenheimer Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in Sir Ernest Oppenheimer’s memory. Sir Ernest Oppenheimer was a famous gold mining enterpriser and also served as the controller of De Beers for some time. Oppenheimer Diamond derived its name from this illustrious personality!
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