The Allnatt Diamond

 In the past, diamonds discovered in South Africa were small, yellow, and of small value. However, Porter Rhodes dispelled this myth in 1881. He revealed an exquisite white diamond to Empress Eugenie of France and Queen Victoria. The diamond had been discovered in the Cape Mines of South Africa. In the following years, large valuable diamonds were discovered in South Africa, which also supported Rhodes’ evidence; several were octahedral shaped. The Allnatt Diamond was most likely discovered in the De Beers Mines of South Africa; it is a certified Fancy Vivid Yellow color and weighs 102.29 carats. The Allnatt Diamond was named after its earlier owner, Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt. He was an active patron of the arts, a soldier, and a sportsman. He purchased eleven horses from Sir Sultan Mohammed Aga Khan, who was the owner of some very exquisite diamonds, including the Aga Khan III. In the 1950’s, Major Allnatt had a floral brooch designed by Cartier. The brooch had five petals, a stem, and two leaves, all made of platinum; the Allnatt Diamond was the center of the flower. In May of 1996 Christies auctioned the brooch containing the Allnatt in Geneva. The diamond sold for $3,043,496. The Allnatt was featured in the Splendour of Diamonds exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum from June 27, 2003 to September 15, 2003. Displayed with the Allnatt Diamond were the Steinmetz Pink, the Moussaieff Red, the Pumpkin Diamond, the Heart of Eternity, the Ocean Dream, and the Millennium Star.