Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Kazanjian Red Diamond on Display in Los Angeles



A rare 5-carat blood-red diamond will be on display at the National History Museum of Los Angeles County. The diamond is one of just three blood-hued red diamonds known to exist.

The Kazanjian Red diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1927. The diamond was stolen during World War II during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, where it stayed hidden in a salt mine for years.

After the war, American soldiers found the diamond. Over time, the diamond passed through several owners, including Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. It was recently purchased by Los-Angeles based Kazanjian Bros. Inc.

This is the first time the diamond has been exhibited in the United States. Also on display in the museum is an exhibit called the “Hollywood Jewels Collection” which features the tiara Madonna wore when she wed ex-husband Guy Ritchie.