3,000 Carat Diamond - History of the Cullinan
How Cullinans Gemstone Was Made Into Radiant Cut Diamonds
Oct 2, 2009
Found at the Premier Diamond Mine in South Africa, the Cullinan diamond weighed 3,106 carats, or over 1¼ pounds (600 grammes). It was discovered by Mr. Frederick Wells, and named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, who had opened the mine. It was cut into nine large pieces, as well as 96 smaller brilliant diamonds, and almost 10 carats of unpolished diamonds.
Cullinan – Accidental Discovery
Frederick Wells was the superintendent of the Premier Mine, and was making a late, routine walk around. The setting sun shone light into the mine at an acute angle, causing something to glisten in the mine wall. He pulled the large diamond from the wall, and initially thought that it was glass, due to the huge size of the uncut diamond.
Diamond Cutters Chosen – Asscher’s Diamond Company
The Cullinan was (and still is) the largest diamond ever found. It was sold to the Transvaal government, which in turn presented it to King Edward VII on November 9th, 1907 (on the occasion of his 66th birthday). The insurance to transport it to England cost $1.25 million. The task of cutting the rough diamond up was given to Asscher’s Diamond Company – at that time the most renowned diamond cutters in the world. Asscher’s studied the diamond for 3 months, before deciding how best to cut it.
Diamonds Cut From the Cullinan
The Cullinan was cut into nine high carat diamonds as follows:
- Cullinan I. Also known as the “Star of Africa”, this weighs 530 carats. It resides in the British Monarch’s Royal Sceptre.
- Cullinan II. This is a 317 carat cushion cut diamond, and it is mounted in the band of the Imperial State Crown.
- Cullinan III. Weighing 94 carats, this pear-shaped diamond is in the finial of Queen Mary’s Crown. It is sometimes worn with Cullinan IV.
- Cullinan IV. At 64 carats, this diamond can be seen in some of Queen Mary’s portraits, often with Cullinan III.
- Cullinan V. This weighs 19 carats, and is a triangular-pear cut. This was mounted into a brooch for Queen Mary.
- Cullinan VI. This diamond weighs 11½ carats, and is a marquise-cut stone. It was first given to Queen Alexandra, it is currently owned by Queen Elizabeth II, and is worn in a diamond and emerald necklace.
- Cullinan VII. This weighs 9 carats, and is a marquise-cut diamond that is in a pendant on a brooch.
- Cullinan VIII. This weighs 7 carats, and is in the centre of the same brooch that Cullinan VII is mounted on.
- Cullinan IX. This weighs 4½ carats and is a pear-shaped diamond. It is mounted in a ring, which is sometimes worn by Queen Elizabeth II.
Cullinan Diamond Summary
Found by accident at the Premier Mine in South Africa, the Cullinan diamond is the largest rough diamond ever discovered. It weighed over 3100 carats, and was cut into nine large diamonds that are now owned by the British Royal family. It produced over 96 other smaller brilliant diamonds.
Diamonds are a popular item of jewelry, but are also used as an inflation-proof investment. They are widely available and may be bought at many on-line sellers for prices over $1,000,000.
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