#JewelledJuly Day 24- Dresden Green Diamond Ornament, Diessbach, 1768- white diamonds and the Dresden Green Diamond,set in yellow gold A magnificent piece, this jewel showcases the gorgeous Dresden Green Diamond in the form of an elaborate hat ornament. An exceptionally unique and beautiful stone, this diamond is the largest and rarest green diamond in the world, weighing over 40 carats and boasting a clear natural apple green colour throughout. This is the stone's third setting, having previously been mounted on both forms of the Order of the Golden Fleece ornament, and this is the setting in which it has remained in for over 200 years. The diamond is named after the city of Dresden, the capital of Saxony, Germany where it has been on display for most of the last two centuries. Purchased by Augustus III of Poland in 1741, the stone became part of Dresden's Crown Jewels and was entered into the city's famed Green Vault for safekeeping. The Dresden Green, along with the other contents of the Green Vault remained on public display throughout the events of World War I and the subsequent abdication of the Royal Family of Saxony, but were removed to the Königstein Fortress at the start of World War II. The Green Vault treasures remained in their new location until the end of the War, surviving the devastating 1945 Allied Forces air raid that destroyed much of their home city. The Green Vault treasures were discovered by the Red Army in late 1945 and were taken to Moscow as spoils of war. They remained in Russia until 1958, when they were returned them to Dresden. The Dresden Green Ornament, and the other treasures of the Green Vault were returned to Dresden Castle in 2004, after the museum's lengthy restoration and the construction of the New Green Vault, they have remained in this location to this day. Prior to this the Dresden Green was permanently displayed in the city's Albertinum Museum, the only exception being the period of October 2000- January 2001, when the stone was exhibited in the Harry Winston Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute. #jewelledjuly #dresdengreendiamond #diessbach #greenvault #grünesgewölbe #famousgems #famousdiamonds