Famous Diamonds by Ian Balfour (1987)

Stories Behind the World’s Most Celebrated Jewels

Good Condition – visible dust-jacket scuffing with light edge and corner wear.

Ian Balfour traces the remarkable stories of nearly eighty legendary gems, from the Koh-i-Noor in the British Crown Jewels and the supposedly ill-fated Hope Diamond to the immense Cullinan and the glamorous Taylor–Burton Diamond. Blending gemmological detail with royal intrigue, adventure and human drama, he follows each stone from discovery and cutting through changing ownership, celebrated settings and moments of mystery or controversy. Richly illustrated throughout, this authoritative survey brings together diamonds associated with monarchs, empires, fortunes and famous romances, while also explaining what makes their size, colour and provenance exceptional. Both a visual treasury and an engaging work of reference, Famous Diamonds reveals how these extraordinary stones became enduring symbols of beauty, power and desire.