The Cullinan, also known as the Star of Africa, stands as the largest rough diamond ever found on Earth. Its discovery occurred in 1905 in a South African mine, led by Frederick Wells, who managed the mining operation at the site.
The find happened about 40 kilometers east of Pretoria while Wells was conducting a routine inspection of the workings. The mine carried the Cullinan name, honoring its owner, Sir Thomas Cullinan, and the remarkable gem soon became a symbol of exceptional fortune in the region.
The rough diamond weighed 3,106 carats (approximately 621 grams) and measured roughly 10.1 by 6.35 by 5.9 centimeters, a size that posed preservation challenges from the outset.
After its discovery, the stone was offered for sale but did not move quickly into private hands. The initial buyer was the government of the Transvaal Colony, a South African province, and later in 1907, it drew the interest of King Edward VII of England. The piece was eventually gifted to the English sovereign.
Its immense size made it impractical to keep intact, so it was sent abroad to a Dutch company where it was carefully cut into smaller parts to safeguard the gem’s integrity and allow broader appreciation.
Divide into nine parts
The Cullinan diamond was divided into nine major stones, labeled I through IX, with additional fragments produced during further cutting until the shards numbered at least 150. The largest fragment, Cullinan I, is known as the Great Star of Africa, weighing 530.2 carats and measuring about 106 grams.
In contemporary times, nine of these stones remain associated with the British royal family and are prominently featured in ceremonial occasions, including coronations, where their legacy is celebrated as a link to centuries of monarchical tradition. The Cullinan stones are preserved within the Crown Jewels and reside in trusted royal collections.
Cullinan I is set in the staff that carries the cross, and the king’s crown jewel was once the largest cut diamond in the world until 1985, when it was surpassed by another extraordinary gem, the Golden Jubilee Diamond.
Cullinan II is part of the Imperial State Crown and is kept in the Tower of London Museum as a testament to the empire’s historic regalia.
The Cullinan III and Cullinan IV were joined by a clasp so that the IV could be suspended from the III, creating a striking brooch that has been worn in significant royal events.
Beyond the Cullinan, there is talk of an even larger stone, sometimes called the Enigma Diamond. Weighing 555 carats, some scientists speculate it may originate from a meteorite that fell to Earth billions of years ago, though it is not classified as a traditional gemstone.
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