The Cullinan, the largest rough diamond ever found, is often called the Star of Africa. It was discovered in a South African mine in 1905 by Frederick Wells, who managed the mining operation at the deposit.
The find occurred about 40 kilometers east of Pretoria while Wells was inspecting the mine. The mine bore the name of its owner, Sir Thomas Cullinan.
The stone weighed 3,106 carats and measured about 10.1 by 6.35 by 5.9 centimeters. Its size posed a preservation challenge from the outset, as it was too large to keep in its natural form.
After its discovery, the diamond went up for sale but did not sell immediately. The buyer who finally acquired it was the government of the Transvaal Republic, followed later by King Edward VII of England in 1907. The gem eventually became a gift to the English monarch.
Because the rough diamond could not be preserved whole, it was sent to a Dutch firm to be cut into smaller stones.
Divide into nine parts
The Cullinan was divided into nine principal stones, numbered I through IX, with many additional fragments cut down into even smaller pieces, totaling around 150 announced portions. The largest fragment, Cullinan I, earned the name the Great Star of Africa and weighs 530.2 carats, equivalent to about 106 grams.
The nine major stones and their current positions are part of the British crown jewels, with ongoing public interest in their history and placement.
Today, nine of these diamonds remain in the possession of the British royal family and play prominent roles during coronation ceremonies, including moments when monarchs are proclaimed. They are housed within the Sovereign’s Scepter and related insignia in royal collections.
Cullinan I is mounted in the Staff of the Cross. The moment of its first royal display marked it as the largest cut diamond in the world until 1985, when the record was surpassed by another extraordinary piece, the Golden Jubilee Diamond.
Cullinan II is set in the Imperial State Crown, which is preserved in the Tower of London Museum for visitors to view.
The Cullinan III and Cullinan IV are known for their mobility when worn together in various pieces, including a clasp that allows the two stones to be worn as a single pendant.
Despite the Cullinan story, a larger diamond named the Enigma Diamond exists, though it is not considered a true gemstone. Weighing 555 carats, or about 111 grams, this stone is thought by some scientists to have origins in a meteorite that struck Earth around 2.6 billion years ago.
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There is no current public contact included in this article. The historical account focuses on the discovery, division, and royal use of the Cullinan diamonds and the Enigma Diamond, with an emphasis on their enduring significance in jewelry history and cultural heritage.