Diamonds are girls' best friend ... and not only

1. Song : Diamonds are girl’s best friend, by Marilyn Monroe Click

5. Here's a promo pic of Audrey Hepburn wearing the Tiffany diamond. After this photoshoot, the necklace was dismantled. The diamond has not been worn since.

6. The name diamond derives from the ancient Greek Αδάμας ( adamas ) "invincible", "untamed", from Α - ( a- ), "un-" + δαμάω ( damáō ), "to overpower, to tame". They have been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in ancient India and usage in engraving tools also dates to early human history. Popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world ecomomy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns. They are commonly judged by the “four Cs” : carat, clarity, color and cut.

7. British Crown Jewels

8. British Crown Imperial Crown Queen of England Kohinoor Crown Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother Prince of Wales, Crown St. Edwards Crown

9. Scottish Crown Jewels

10. Worlds Largest Diamonds KOH-I-NOOR ("Mountain of Light") is one of the worlds largest diamonds, it weighed in at 186 carats when it was first discovered in 1304. This oval shaped cut stone is believed to have been set in the famous peacock throne of Shah Jehan. Re-cut during the reign of Queen Victoria it now weighs 108 carats and forms part of the British Crown Jewels. Cullinan I - also known as The Star of Africa was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, owner of the mining company, and currently claims the title of largest cut diamond in the world. Of all the worlds largest diamonds Cullinan I is the largest. It was cut by Asscher in Amsterdam, weighs 530.20 carats, and has 74 facets. The Cullinan now resides in the Tower of London and is set in the sceptre of King Edward VII.

11. The Excelsior *which means higher* is not only one of the worlds largest diamonds it is the second largest diamond ever found. It originally weighed 995.2 carats. The diamond was cut into ten pieces, the three largest weighing 158, 147 and 130 carats. These pieces were then cut into 21 gems ranging from 70 carats to less than 1 carat. An African mine worker found the diamond as he was loading his truck, he kept the find secret until he could safely turn it over to the mine manager who rewarded him with some money, a horse and a saddle. Orloff - the worlds third largest cut diamond weighs 194 carats. It was once one of the eyes of the idol Sheringham, in the temple of Brahma, later it was acquired by the Shah Nadir who desired to own one of the worlds largest diamonds. In 1775 it was given to Catherine II. of Russia by Grigori Orloff, one of her ex-lovers, and has been called the Orloff since then.

12. The Great Mogul is one of the worlds largest diamonds. The rough diamond was discovered in the 17th century, weighed 793 carats and was named after Shah Jehan... builder of the Taj Mahal. The Idols Eye is a famous pear shaped diamond, its polished size weighing in at 70.20 carats makes it one of the worlds largest diamonds. The name of the stone comes from the legend claiming that the Sheik of Kahmir stole it from an idols eye to pay the Sultan of Turkey a ransom for Princess Rasheetah.

13. The Centenary, was discovered at the Premier Mine of South Africa on the 17th of July 1986 and joined the ranks of the worlds largest diamonds, it weighed in at 599.10 carats in rough form. Master-cutter Gabi Tolkowsky took almost three years to complete its transformation into the world's largest, modern-cut flawless diamond. The Centenary has 75 facets on top, 89 on the bottom and 83 on the girdle, for a total of 247 facets. It weighs 273.85 carats and now forms part of the British Crown Jewels. The Sancy is named after one of its owners Seigneur de Sancy, a French Ambassador to Turkey in the late 16th century. It was first owned by Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, who lost it in battle in 1477. He loaned it to the French king, Henry III, who wore it in the cap with which he concealed his baldness. Henry IV of France also borrowed the stone from Sancy, but it was sold in 1664 to James I of England. In 1688, James II, King of England, fled with it to Paris and it has never been found since. The Sancy weighed 55 carats making it one of the smallest of the worlds largest diamonds.

14. The Premier Rose became one of the worlds largest diamonds when it was discovered in 1978. The diamond weighed 353.9 carats and was cut into three diamonds known as the Premier Rose family. All of them qualify to be one of the worlds largest diamonds. The largest of the three kept the name Premier Rose and now weighs 137.02 carats, is cut with 189 facets, and is the second largest pear shaped diamond in the world. It was sold in 1979 for $10,000,000.00. The Regent another of the worlds largest diamonds was discovered in 1701 by an Indian slave near Golconda, it weighed 410 carats in the rough. Once owned by William Pitt, the English Prime Minister, it was cut into a cushion shaped brilliant of 140.50 carats and, until it was sold to the Duke of Orleans, Regent of France when Louis XV was a boy in 1717, was called The Pitt. It was then renamed The Regent and set in the crown Louis XV wore at his coronation. After the French revolution, it was owned by Napoleon Bonaparte who set it in the hilt of his sword. It is now on display in the Louvre as one of the worlds largest diamonds

15. The Taylor-Burton diamond was found in the Premier mine in 1966, the rough stone weighed 240.80 carats. The famous diamond was purchased by Harry Winston who commissioned the stone cleaved into two pieces, the larger piece weighed 162 carats and was eventually cut into a pear shaped 69.42 carat diamond. It was later auctioned for $1,050,000 and named the "Cartier". The diamond was then purchased by Richard Burton and given to Elizabeth Taylor and renamed the Taylor-Burton. In 1978, following her divorce from Richard Burton, Elizabeth put one of the worlds largest diamonds up for sale to raise funds for a hospital in Botswana. The current owner is Robert Mouawad, President of the Mouawad Group. Sefadu was found in Sierra Leonne in 1970 and is owned by American diamond company Lazare Kaplan. The uncut stone weighs 620 carats which easily makes it one of the worlds largest diamonds.

16. The Blue Hope another of the worlds largest diamonds was once owned by Louis XIV and officially designated the *blue diamond of the crown*. It was stolen during the French Revolution but showed up again in 1830 and was bought by Henry Philip Hope of London, the diamond was named after the new owner. The Blue Hope Diamond is believed to carry a curse, two of the owners had their entire family die just one year apart. It now resides in the Smithsonian in Washington where it is recognized as one of the worlds largest diamonds. Mrs. E valyn W alsh -M c L ean wearing the H ope diamond . After Mrs. McLean’s death in 1947, New York jeweler Harry Winston purchased her jewels, including the Hope. He gave the gem to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., in 1958,

17. Diamonds…in use Black Diamonds : An exotic type of diamond may have come to Earth from outer space, scientists say. Called carbonado or “black” diamonds , the mysterious stones are found in Brazil and the Central African Republic. Because of their odd appearance, the diamonds are unsuitable as gemstones. But they do have industrial applications and were used in the drill bits that helped dig the Panama Canal. D e Grisogono Green Diamond

18. Mercedes with diamonds : Saudi Prince Waleed Bin Talal’s 38th car is this diamond studded SL600 Mercedes and is worth $4.8 million.

19. Mouse with diamonds : It will cost you $25,030 to surf the net with this bad boy. Thankfully diamonds aren’t affected by palm sweat, otherwise the flower consisting 59 of them would surely wilt. You’d better be saving some incredible information on the Adamant, a gold 16GB flash drive with three, count ‘em, three diamonds. This tiny storage device costs $5,650.

20. The Nokia N95 is already a multi-functional smartphone by itself, and what better way to increase its desirability than to throw a whole bunch of diamonds on it ? What you see above is the result of such an extravagant imagination, done up by Alexander Amosu. This exclusive limited edition diamond Nokia N95 8GB will be limited to just 10 in the whole wide world, and each handset is adorned with 18 carat solid white gold with 325 diamonds, boasting a total diamond weight of 3.30 carats. Be prepared to fork out *cough cough* slightly less than a quarter of a hundred thousand dollars for this ultra-luxurious smartphone - $24,482 to be exact.

21. Encrusted with 138 princess-cut diamonds and 180 brilliant-cut diamonds all set in 18-carat white gold, the Apple iPhone Princess Plus is one of the most expensive phones in the world

22. Bentley knob : Handcrafted with 30 carats of real diamonds and 10 ounces of 18 carat white gold, this $150,000 knob is worth more than most cars.

23. The million dollar fishing lure is over a foot long, contains three lbs of gold and platinum, and is encrusted with 100 carats of diamonds and rubies - 4753 stones when all is said and done. Unless you’re fishing for treasure chests don’t get this one anywhere near the ocean, or some fish will have the world’s most expensive lip piercing.

24. Frank Muller Cortez With_Diamonds Nixon diamond watch, made out of 1,851 diamonds.

25. DiamondsMILLENARY BAGUETTE by Audemars Piguet, 1972 by Vacheron Constantin and MOON CHIC ZEBRA by Ebel Diamonds RIVIERA XXL HIGH JEWELERY by Breguet, LEELA STELLA by Century and CHRONOGRAPH by Wyler Geneve.

26. Diamond ring: A round brilliant cut diamond set in a ring. Main diamond ring. Harry Winston Fancy Intense Pink Diamond with two Trapezoid Diamonds Graff Fancy Vivid Pink Pear Shaped Diamond

27. Leviev Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Napoléon Diamond Necklace Harry Winston diamonds wreath necklace The Wade Necklace, circa 1900, formerly owned by Mrs Ellen Garretson

28. Tiffany Platinum/14K Diamond/Sapphire Clip Brooch and Earring Set T hese Harry Winston Extraordinary Diamond Drop Earrings are simple as icicles, yet a lot longer lasting, each will set her lobes glimmering with two pear-shaped diamonds in a platinum setting. That’s 60.1 carats all together, and all of it stunning. This will set you back $8.5 million. Diamond cluster earrings by Harry Winston

29. A diamond bracelet by Harry Winston with nine square-cut diamonds, weighing from approximately 4.44 to 5.73 carats, mounted in platinum, circa 1971 is on display, 11 October 2007, as part of a sale at Christie's in New York of "Magnificent Jewels From a Distinguished Private Collection" on 16 October. The bracelet estimate is 800,000 to 1.2 million USD and is part of the larger "Magnificent Jewels" sale.

30. Among pieces on view at Harry Winston will be "The Semira Twirl," a timepiece that looks like a diamond bracelet, with 276 diamonds totaling 12.36 carats.

31. Cartier brooch with panther motif in platinum, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and onyx (price on request), by special order at Cartier.

32. Bulgari one-of-a-kind diamond and sapphire necklace set in platinum ($435,000), by special order at Bulgari.

33. Tiffany & Company 18-karat Lucida white gold cocktail watch with diamonds and sapphires on a black satin strap ($25,500) at Tiffany & Company.

34. Graff white round and marquee diamond bracelet with heart-shaped sapphires in platinum (price on request) at Graff.

35. A rare aquamarine and diamond blangle, circa 1935 by Cartier, expected to fetch Euro 25,000-37,000 (USD 32.000-48.000), a gem-set bracelet with emeralds, diamonds, sapphires and rubies, circa 1930 expected to fetch Euro 37,000-49,000 (USD 48.000-64.000), and diamond bracelet, circa 1925 by Cartier expected to fetch Euro 61,000-73,000 (USD 80.000-96.000) are seen 11 May 2007 during a preview in Geneva. The Art Deco jewels will be proposed 16 May in Geneva during a Christie's sale intituled "Magnificents Jewels

36. This Cartier diamond and platinum necklace was on display at Buckingham Palace in 2007, part of the "Royal Wedding: 20 November 1957" exhibition. Photo by Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images

37. Harry Winston’s diamond ring made-up of rectangular-cut diamond, weighing approximately 23.14 carats and is flanked on either side by a tapered baguette-cut diamond together with mounted platinum.

38. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is currently showcasing one of the world’s largest yellow diamonds, on loan from Tiffany & Co.

39. Smithsonian's Gem & Mineral Collection The Portuguese Diamond (127.01 carats) Photo by Dane A. Penland

40. The End. Thank you!