At 3106.75 carats, the Cullinan diamond remains the largest gem ever discovered in the world. The massive stone was found more than a century ago in 1905 at the Premier No.2 mine in Cullinan, South Africa, on January 26.
Kenneth Scarrett wrote in Gems and Gemology "It's discovery brought fame to the then newly opened Première mine near Pretoria, South Africa. Discovered less than 2 years later, the first extremely large diamond from a mine that, in it 100 years of operations has yielded more rough diamonds than any other single source".
The Diamond was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the mine's chairman, who opened the mine in 1902.
In April 1905, the stone was put on sale in London, but despite interest, it went unsold after two years.
In 1907, the Transvaal Colony government gifted it to King Edward VII of the United Kingdom, who sent it to Joseph Asscher & Co. in Amsterdam, the same firm who had cut the 995 ct Excelsior diamond in 1903.
The diamond was presented to the king at Sandringham House by Sir Richard Solomon, on 9 November 1907 at his 66 birthday party, where many guests attended including the Queen of Sweden and the Queen of Spain. It was announced that he accepted the gift for himself and his successors and that he would ensure "this great and unique diamond be kept and preserved among the historic jewels which form the heirlooms of the Crown".
Cullinan produced 9 major stones of 1,055.89 carats, plus 96 minor brilliants and some unpolished fragments weighing 19.5 carats.
The largest are Cullinans I and II, Both are part of the Crown Jewels of Britain. The Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa is mounted in the head of the Sovereign's Sceptre.
Cullinan II is the second-largest or the Second Star of Africa, weighing 317.4 carats, mounted in the Imperial State Crown.
Seven other major diamonds (Cullinan III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XI) weighing a total of 208.29 carats are privately owned by Queen Elizabeth II, who inherited them from her grandmother, Queen Mary, in 1953. She also owns minor brilliants and a set of unpolished fragments.
Cullinan mine is one of the world's most important sources of blue diamonds
Cullinan Diamond Mine, originally owned by Sir Thomas Cullinan in 1903, has given the world some of the most remarkable stones ever discovered.
Located in the Victorian town named after it's most famous resident, Cullinan is a breathtaking 45-minute drive from South Africa's capital, Pretoria, and an hour-and-a-half from the City of Gold, Johannesburg. The famous mine is the world's main source for rare blue diamonds.
The Cullinan Diamond Mine Owned by a three way partnership consortium, lead by London-listed group Petra Diamonds, black economic empowerment group Thembinkosi Mining Investments and Saudi-based investment company Al Rajhi Holdings, the Cullinan Diamond Mine is expected to produce one million carats per year over the next 20 to 40 years.
Historically, Cullinan Diamond Mine has generated 25% of the worlds diamonds over 400 carats. This famous landmark is the source of the most famous diamond ever unearthed.
Sir Thomas Major Cullinan remained involved with operations after the significant discovery until 1923 when he resigned as Chairman and as a prominent board member, selling his shares to move on to other ventures. Cullinan died in 1936 but his mine continued to unearth the largest and most famous gems ever known. In 2003, to commemorate the world's most famous diamond mine, the 100-year-old mine was officially renamed the Cullinan Diamond Mine. To this day, the Cullinan Diamond Mine remains a major diamond producer.
Cullinan
Polished Gem – 530.20 Carats
The Cullinan Diamond is the world's greatest diamond ever found. At 3,106.75 carats it remains the largest clean white diamond known to-date. The stone produced nine primary gems and 96 smaller stones. The Cullinan I, or The Great Star of Africa, weighs 530.2 carats and is displayed in the head of England's royal Sceptre. The South African-mined diamond is exhibited at the Tower of London.
Cullinan II
Polished Gem – 317.40 Carats
Better known as the Lesser Star of Africa, the Cullinan II weighs a remarkable 317.4 carats and is considered the second largest top-quality polished stone in the world. The diamond forms part of the British crown Jewels' Imperial State Crown and is on display at the Tower of London.
The Golden Jubilee Diamond
Rough Weight – 755.50 Carats | Polished Gem – 545.65 Carats
Discovered in the late 1980′s, The Golden Jubilee is the second largest rough stone produced by Cullinan Diamond Mine. Named after the 50th anniversary ascent of Thailand's royal couple, King Bhumibol and Queen Sirakit, the golden yellow gem resides at the Royal Museum at Pimmimak, Bangkok.
The Jonker Diamond
Rough Weight – 726.50 Carats | Polished Gem – 126.65 Carats
Johannes Makani, a working hand for 62-year-old poor diamond digger Johannes Jacobus Jonker changed.
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