The "Star of the East" is a 94.78-carat, pear-shaped, D-color stone of VS2 clarity grade. Its exact origin is unknown, but it likely originated from India. The Star of the East Diamond was part of the collection of jewels belonging to the Ottoman Sultan, Abdulhamid II, who ruled between 1876 and 1909. The Star of the East was stolen from Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II. The exact circumstances under which the diamond came into the possession of the Sultan are not known. Even the origin of the name and at what point in its history it was christened, remains a mystery. The diamond was part of the collection of the jewellery-loving Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Abdulhamid II. It was later acquired by Pierre Cartier, who sold it to Evalyn Walsh McLean. After McLean's death, Harry Winston purchased the diamond together with McLean's entire collection. The diamond's current whereabouts are unknown.

Evalyn McLean was an American mining heiress and socialite, famous for reputedly being an owner of the 45-carat (9.0 g) Hope Diamond, as well as another famous diamond, the 94-carat (18.8 g) Star of the East. She also authored a memoir, Father Struck It Rich, with Boyden Sparkes.