The Cullinan was the largest diamond ever found.it weighed in at 3,106carrots. It was found on 26th January 1905 in the Premier Mines of South Africa by Frederick Wells. He got 10,000 $ for finding it. The diamond is called after the mine owner Sir Thomas Cullinan. He gave the preciousness to King Edward VII as a birthday present November 9th1907.
The diamond was sent to be cut to the Asscher Brothers in Amsterdam. They examined the diamond for several months. On on 10th February 1908 Joseph Asscher tried to make the first cut but the blade broke while the diamond stayed in tact. On the second attempt that day the stone split exactly as planned and Joseph fainted. The stone was cut into 9 principal parts and 96 small stones. They are held in The Tower of London.
The Cullinan I, The Cullinan II, The Cullinan III
The Cullinan IV, The Cullinan V The Cullinan VI
The Cullinan VII The Cullinan VIII The Cullinan IX
Because one side of the Cullinan had a completely flat surface, it was felt that it was part of a bigger stone that had broken in two. This is why the Cullinan diamond mines are cone shape, in search for the other half.
The Star of Africa
The Cullinan I, also known as the Star of Africa, weighs 530.20 carats and was the largest polished diamond in the world until the discovery of the 545-carat Golden Jubilee diamond – also found in the Premier Mine. King Edward placed the Cullinan I in the Sovereign’s Royal Sceptre as part of the Crown Jewels, and it is now on display in the Tower of London.
The Lesser Star of Africa
The Cullinan II is a 317.40-carat cushion-cut stone mounted in the band of the Imperial State Crown, and also in the Tower of London as part of the Crown Jewels.
The Cullinan III is a pear-shaped diamond weighing 94.40 carats and set into the finial of Queen Mary’s Crown. It can be worn with Cullinan IV as a pendant-brooch and many of Queen Mary’s portraits show her wearing these two stones in a manner popular with Queen Elizabeth II still today.
The Cullinan IV, a 63.60-carat cushion shape, was originally set in the band of Queen Mary’s crown. As mentioned above, it can also be worn as jewellery alongside the Cullinan III.
The Cullinan V is a triangular-pear cut weighing 18.80 carats originally mounted in a brooch for Queen Mary to be worn in the circlet of her crown as a replacement for the Koh-i-noor. This was after the Koh-inoor was removed to sit in the new crown that was made for Elizabeth, now the Queen Mother) in 1937.
The Cullinan VI – an 11.50-carat, marquise-cut stone, was presented by King Edward to his wife Queen Alexandra, and is now worn by Elizabeth II as a drop on a diamond and emerald necklace. It has adorned the young Queen more frequently than any other section of the Cullinan.
The Delhi Durbar necklace and earrings c1911 - part of a parure made for Queen Mary. It features Cullinan VI and six diamonds from the Cullinan collection and nine emeralds owned by Queen Mary’s grandmother Queen Victoria. It was inherited by Queen Elizabeth in 1953
The Cullinan VII is an 8.80-carat marquise-cut stone mounted in a pendant on a small diamond brooch that also contains the 6.80-carat cushion-cut Cullinan VIII.
The Cullinan IX, a 4.39-carat pear shape, is mounted in a ring with a prong setting that was made for Queen Mary and still worn by the current queen, Elizabeth II.
Queen Mary of Teck. Queen to King George V.
Wearing in order of importance: -
The Order of the Garter, strap of the Garter The Queen Mary Crown
The Grater Star of Africa (Cullinan I) Stomacher
The Lesser Star of Africa (Cullinan II) Stomacher Coronation Necklace and Earrings
The Cullinan III + IV Broach. Granny’s Trinkets Necklace Brooches Cullinan IX Ring
There is a rumor that the other part of the Cullinan Diamond has been found and is very bigger than the original Cullinan.
It will be held in secret untill ownership is determined.
It is said to be found buried and wrapped in a cloth in the garden of a former worker of the mines.
I don’t have a lot, but I like what I’ve got.
Joseph Robinson,
IRL- R56 K680