The Portuguese Diamond

The Portuguese Diamond is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.  The 127.01-carat stone is the largest faceted diamond in the National Gem Collection. 

The near flawless clarity and unusual octagonal emerald cut makes the gem that much more rare and magnificent to this day. The Portuguese Diamond was owned by Black Starr & Frost and sold in 1928 to American celebrity Peggy Hopkins Joyce.

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An advertisement in a 1924 edition of Good Housekeeping offering the largest Blue Diamond in the world; the “Portuguese Diamond” for $300,000.

 

 

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Vaudeville Star Peggy Hopkins Joyce wears the Portuguese Diamond in this publicity photograph after acquiring the diamond from Black, Starr & Frost for an equivalent value of $373,000 in 1928.