Photographs: Bobby Yip/Reuters
There has been a big jump in prices of rough diamond since 2005 and they are projected to increase about 20 per cent by 2017, primarily boosted by rise in demand in China and India, according to Wealth-X, a wealth research firm.
World's richest diamond owners consist of collectors, dealers, and investors who have shares in some of the biggest mines, it says.
Let’s have a look at some of the richest diamond owners in the world.
Source: CNBC
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Billionaires who are diamond kings of the world
Photographs: Bobby Yip/Reuters
Cheng Yu-tung
Age: 87
Net worth: $19.6 billion
Company: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group
Country: Hong Kong
Overall rank: 1
Cheng Yu-tung purchased 507-carat Cullinan Heritage diamond for $35.3 million, the most expensive rough diamond ever bought, in 2010.
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Billionaires who are diamond kings of the world
Photographs: Paolo Bona/Reuters
Beny Steinmetz
Age: 57
Net worth: $5.8 billion
Company: Steinmetz Diamond Group
Country: Israel
Overall rank: 2
Steinmetz Diamond Group crafted Steinmetz Pink, a 59.6 carat pink diamond, said to be worth $100 million in 2003.
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Billionaires who are diamond kings of the world
Photographs: Mike Segar/Reuters
Dan Gertler
Age: 39
Net worth: $2.6 billion
Company: Fleurette Group
Country: Israel
Overall rank: 3
Dan Gertler's, who is a friend of Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila, decision to buy mining projects from the Congolese government created controversy. He defended the move by saying that he was helping the people in DRC by creating employment opportunities and providing basic amenities.
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Billionaires who are diamond kings of the world
Photographs: Tyrone Siu/Reuters
Anne-Marie Graff
Age: 75
Net worth: $2.1 billion
Company: Graff Diamonds
Country: British
Overall rank: 4
Anne-Marie, her husband and their children hold stocks worth $3.1 billion in Graff Diamonds, according to Forbes.
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Billionaires who are diamond kings of the world
Photographs: Tyrone Siu/Reuters
Laurence Graff
Age: 75
Net worth: $2.1 billion
Company: Graff Diamonds
Country: British
Overall rank: 5
Founder of Graff Diamonds and husband of Anne-Marie bought 24.78 carats Graff Pink diamond for $46 million in 2010.
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Billionaires who are diamond kings of the world
Photographs: Jean-Christophe Kahn/Reuters
Georges Nicolas Hayek Jr
Age: 58
Net worth: $1.7 billion
Company: Swatch Group
Country: Swiss-Lebanese
Overall rank: 6
Georges Nicolas Hayek Jr bought 101.73 carat Winston Legacy diamond for $26.7 million in May, 2013.
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Billionaires who are diamond kings of the world
Photographs: Oleg Popov/Reuters
Lev Leviev
Age: 57
Net worth: $1.4 billion
Company: Stake in Catoca diamond mine
Country: Israel
Overall rank: 7
Ivana Trump, former wife of businessman Donald Trump, wore 450 carats of diamonds from Leviev’s collection at her wedding in 2008.
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Billionaires who are diamond kings of the world
Photographs: Luke MacGregor/Reuters
Jorg Bucherer
Age: 77
Net worth: $1.1 billion
Company: Bucherer Group
Country: Switzerland
Overall rank: 8
Bucherer pieces include Reine Blanche, a necklace that has 44.97 carats of brilliant diamonds.
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Billionaires who are diamond kings of the world
Photographs: Fadi Alassaad/Reuters
Fred Mouawad
Age: 44
Net worth: $1.1 billion
Company: Mouawad
Country: Lebanese
Overall rank: 9
Fred Mouawad, one of the three brothers running the jewellery and watch company, made an unsuccessful bid for 76.02 carat diamond, which ultimately sold for $21.48 million.
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Billionaires who are diamond kings of the world
Photographs: Nacho Doce/Reuters
Robert Fayez Mouawad
Age: Not available
Net worth: $1.1 billion
Company: Mouawad
Country: Lebanese
Overall rank: 10
Robert Fayez Mouawad purchased 101.84 carat diamond for $12.76 million in 1990, the most expensive single pear-shaped diamond at that time.
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