The Cullinan is a rough diamond discovered in South Africa on January 26th 1905. From this large diamond was cut the Cullinan I – Star of Africa and Cullinan II, a massive cushion shaped also beautiful diamond.
The Cullinan I - The Star of Africa Diamond
The Cullinan I, the Star of Africa, is cololess and has a pear-shaped cut. Weighing 530.20 carats is the largest of the Cullinan diamonds, but after the Golden Jubilee discovery becomes the second largest faceted diamond in the world. Despite this, it still remains the largest, D-color, faceted diamond in the world, the Golden Jubilee having a yellow-brownish color.
The finding of Star of Africa was purely accidental. After just three years since the mining activity began at Premier mines in South Africa miners made the record-breaking discovery. On the January 26th 1905 one of the workers, Frederick Wells while walking through a mine corridor, looked up and saw a huge piece of glass. Following examinations showed it was a diamond of 3,106.75 carats!
Rough Cullinan diamond stone
The rough diamond was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan who was the discoverer and owner of the Premier diamond mines. The diamond was cut by I. J. Asscher & Co. of Amsterdam and cleaved into 9 large pieces and about 100 smaller ones. All of the small pieces were polished into diamonds of different shapes and sizes.
Star of Africa unmonted
King Edward VII ordered the Cullinan I –Star of Africa to be mounted on the head of the Royal Scepter. Star of Africa was purchased for King Edward on his 66th anniversary, at the price of $800,000.00. The beautiful Star of Africa Royal Scepter it is now hosted and on display in the Tower of London.
Star of Africa Royal Sceptre
See also: Golden jubilee Post
Tags: biggest diamonds, carat, Cullinan, diamond, expensive, rarities, Star of Africa Diamond, top 10
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 pm
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February 10th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
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