Cullinan Diamond
Encyclopedia : C : CU : CUL : Cullinan Diamond
| |||
| Cullinan I Great Star of Africa | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | carats (106.04 g) | ||
| Color | Grade D colorless | ||
| Cut | |||
| Mine of origin | Premier mine | ||
| Country of origin | South Africa | ||
| Cut by | Asscher Brothers | ||
| Date discovered | 1905 | ||
| Original owner | Premier Diamond Mining Company | ||
| Current owner | The Crown | ||
| Estimated value | unknown | ||
The Cullinan Diamond, found by Frederick Wells, surface manager of the Premier Diamond Mining Company in Cullinan, Gauteng, South Africa on June 25 1905, is the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found, at 3,106.75 carats (621.35 g). Although a carbonado found in Brazil weighed more than 3,600 carats (720 g), no gem-quality material could be extracted from it. The stone was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the diamond mine.
The stone was bought by the Transvaal government and presented to King Edward VII. It was cut into three large parts by Asscher Brothers of Amsterdam, and eventually into some 11 large gem-quality stones and a number of smaller fragments. The largest polished gem from the stone is named Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa ([Picture]), and at 530.2 carats (106.04 g) was the largest polished diamond in the world until the 1985 discovery of the Golden Jubilee diamond (545.67 cts), also from the Premier mine. Cullinan I is now mounted in the head of the Sceptre with the Cross. The second largest gem from the Cullinan stone, Cullinan II or the Lesser Star of Africa, at 317.4 carats (63.48 g), is the third largest polished diamond in the world and is also part of the British crown jewels, as it forms a part of the Imperial State Crown. Both gems are on display at the Tower of London, as parts of the British crown jewels.
In 1905, transport from South Africa to England posed a bit of a problem with regard to security. Detectives from London were placed upon a steamer ship that was rumored to carry the stone, but this was a diversionary tactic. The stone on that ship was a fake, meant to attract those who would be interested in stealing it. The actual diamond was sent to England in a plain box via parcel post.
Throughout the years, rumors have spread of a second half of the Cullinan diamond, as certain signs point to the diamond being part of a larger crystal. Rumor has it that before Frederick Wells sold the diamond to Sir Thomas Cullinan he broke off a piece which sized in at about 1500 to 2000 carats (300 to 400 g). If this were true, then the original Cullinan diamond would have weighed in at about 5000 carats (1 kg).
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