Diamonds, created in the distant past, are the most coveted and valued of precious stones. The story of the discovery and destiny of the Cullinan diamond, to this day the largest gem-quality diamond ever found, is one to be marveled at, just like the staggering array of gems that were cut from it.
The Cullinan Diamond.
Discovery of the Cullinan Diamond
January 26, 1905, was a very lucky day indeed for Captain Frederick Wells, superintendent of Premier Mine in South Africa. During his daily rounds, he found the Cullinan diamond, originally believing it to be a shard of glass embedded in the mine wall as a practical joke. After working to release the crystal from the mine wall with his pocket knife, he was astonished to discover that it was indeed a diamond.
When the original Cullinan diamond was unearthed in Pretoria’s Premier Mine in 1905, it was so large and exceptional that the inspector Thomas Wells initially thought it was simply a piece of glass. But closer inspection revealed a 1.33 pound colorless diamond-the largest ever discovered.
At the time it was found, the Cullinan diamond was two times the size of any diamond previously discovered. Its original weight was ascertained at 3,106.75 carats (621.2 grams). It was approximately 10.1 centimetres (4.0 in) long, 6.35 centimetres (2.50 in) wide, and 5.9 centimetres (2.3 in) deep.
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After its discovery, the massive diamond was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, owner of the mine where it was found. Newspapers called it the "Cullinan Diamond", a reference to Sir Thomas Cullinan, who opened the mine in 1902. It became a global sensation, and was purchased by the Transvaal Colony government.
Early History and Ownership
Shortly after its discovery, Cullinan went on public display at the Standard Bank in Johannesburg, where it was seen by an estimated 8,000-9,000 visitors. In April 1905, the rough gem was deposited with Premier Mining Co.'s London sales agent, S. Neumann & Co.
The original Cullinan diamond price was £150,000. Transvaal Prime Minister Louis Botha suggested buying the diamond for Edward VII as "a token of the loyalty and attachment of the people of the Transvaal to His Majesty's throne and person."
In August 1907, a vote was held in the Legislative Council on the Cullinan's fate, and a motion authorising the purchase was carried by 42 votes in favour to 19 against. Eventually, he was persuaded by Winston Churchill, then Colonial Under-Secretary. In 1907, the Transvaal Colony government bought the Cullinan and Prime Minister Louis Botha presented it to Edward VII.
The Cullinan diamond was presented to King Edward VII on his birthday, in the presence of a number of guests including the Queen of Spain and the Queen of Norway. Lord Elgin, secretary of state at the time, announced that the king accepted the priceless gift “for myself and my successors”.
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As with many of the great treasures uncovered on the African continent during colonial rule, the diamond was purchased by the Transvaal government and given to King Edward VII.
King Edward VII.
The Journey to London
Because of the Cullinan diamond’s worth, detectives from London were placed on a steamboat that was rumored to carry it, and a parcel was ceremoniously secured in the Captain’s safe. It was a diversionary tactic - the stone on that ship was fake, meant to attract those who would be interested in stealing it. The actual Cullinan diamond was entrusted to the postal service and shipped to London in a plain box.
Due to its immense value, detectives were assigned to the RMS Kenilworth Castle that was rumoured to be carrying the stone, and a parcel was ceremoniously locked in the captain's safe and guarded on the entire journey. Cullinan was sent to the United Kingdom in a plain box via registered post. On arriving in London, it was conveyed to Buckingham Palace for inspection by King Edward VII.
Cutting the Cullinan Diamond
Soon thereafter, the Cullinan Diamond size changed forever. The king chose Joseph Asscher & Co. of Amsterdam to cleave and polish the rough stone into brilliant gems of various cuts and sizes. Abraham Asscher collected it from the Colonial Office in London on 23 January 1908. On 10 February 1908, the rough stone was split in half by Joseph Asscher at his diamond-cutting factory in Amsterdam.
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The story goes that in order to get the much-publicized diamond safely to England, agents spread false rumors that it was being shipped by boat. Once the colossal stone arrived safely, King Edward VII appointed Joseph Asscher in Amsterdam to cleave it. A decade earlier Asscher had gained fame for cutting the famous 971 carat Excelsior rough diamond, but the Cullinan wasn’t as easy. After studying the diamond for six months, when he attempted to cut the stone, the knife’s steel blade broke in two and he didn’t even scratch the diamond.
At the time, technology had not yet evolved to guarantee the quality of modern standards, and cutting the diamond was difficult and risky. After weeks of planning, an incision 0.5 inches (13 mm) deep was made to enable Asscher to cleave the diamond in one blow.
From the singular Cullinan, Asscher cut nine large flawless diamonds, all of which are part of the Crown Jewels. Cullinan produced stones of various cuts and sizes, the largest of which is named Cullinan I, and named the Great Star of Africa by Edward VII, and at 530.4 carats (106.08 g) it is the largest clear cut diamond in the world. It was then cut by Joseph Asscher & Co.
The nine major stones cut from the Cullinan Diamond:
- Cullinan I, or the Great Star of Africa
- Cullinan II, or the Second Star of Africa
- Cullinan III, or the Lesser Star of Africa
- Cullinan IV, also referred to as a Lesser Star of Africa
- Cullinan V
- Cullinan VI
- Cullinan VII
- Cullinan VIII
- Cullinan IX
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The Major Stones and Their Significance
The largest, most prestigious segment of the original stone is the Cullinan I diamond. The 530.2 carat, pear-cut stone is also known as the Great Star of Africa. It was set in the head of the British Sceptre with the Cross, but it is configured so that it may be removed and hung as a pendant, either on its own or from the Cullinan II diamond in a brooch. The stone is mounted in the head of the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross.
The second-largest segment of the original stone is Cullinan II, also known as the Second Star of Africa, weighing 317.4 carats (63.48 g), mounted in the Imperial State Crown. It measures 4.54 cm × 4.08 cm × 2.42 cm (1.79 in × 1.61 in × 0.95 in). Both are part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The diamond has a number of tiny flaws, scratches on the table facet, and a small chip at the girdle.
The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross, featuring the Cullinan I diamond.
Cullinan III and Cullinan IV are together known as the Lesser Stars of Africa. The Cullinan III diamond is a 94.4-carat pear-cut stone that was originally set in the coronation crown made for Queen Mary, consort of King George V. Cullinan IV is a square cushion-cut diamond that weighs in at a still astonishing 63.6 carats. It was originally part of Queen Mary’s coronation crown as well. On 25 March 1958, while she and Prince Philip were on a state visit to the Netherlands, Queen Elizabeth II revealed that Cullinan III and IV are known in her family as "Granny's Chips".
Much smaller than its sister diamonds, the Cullinan V is still astounding at 18.8 carats. Heart-shaped, and set at the center of a brooch with smaller stones surrounding it, it was often worn by Queen Mary in combination with Cullinan diamonds VI and VII. Cullinan V is an 18.8-carat (3.76 g) heart-shaped diamond set in the centre of a platinum brooch that formed a part of the stomacher made for Queen Mary to wear at the Delhi Durbar in 1911. The brooch was designed to show off Cullinan V and is pavé-set with a border of smaller diamonds. It can be suspended from the VIII brooch and can be used to suspend the VII pendant.
Cullinan VI diamond is one you might find in a celebrity engagement ring - that is, if it weren’t an important part of the British Crown Jewels! This marquise cut diamond hangs from the brooch that contains Cullinan VIII. Cullinan VI is marquise-cut and weighs 11.5 carats (2.30 g). It hangs from the brooch containing Cullinan VIII and forming part of the stomacher of the Delhi Durbar parure. Cullinan VI along with VIII can also be fitted together to make yet another brooch, surrounded by some 96 smaller diamonds.
Cullinan VII is marquise cut, but a bit larger at 11.5 carats. It was originally given by Edward VII to his wife and consort Queen Alexandra. King Edward VII originally gave this stone to Queen Alexandra. She gave it to Queen Mary after his death. Cullinan VII is also marquise-cut and weighs 8.8 carats (1.76 g). It was originally given by Edward VII to his wife and consort Queen Alexandra.
Coming in at 6.8 carats, Cullinan VIII is a gorgeous cushion-cut diamond that sits at the center of a brooch that Queen Elizabeth II inherited in 1953. Cullinan VIII is an oblong-cut diamond weighing 6.8 carats (1.36 g). It is set in the centre of a brooch forming part of the stomacher of the Delhi Durbar parure.
The ninth Cullinan diamond is a pear-cut stone weighing 4.4 carats. Cullinan IX is smallest of the principal diamonds to be obtained from the rough Cullinan.
Table: The Cullinan Diamonds
| Diamond | Weight (Carats) | Cut | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cullinan I (Great Star of Africa) | 530.2 | Pear | Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross |
| Cullinan II (Second Star of Africa) | 317.4 | Cushion | Imperial State Crown |
| Cullinan III | 94.4 | Pear | Queen Mary's Crown (originally) |
| Cullinan IV | 63.6 | Square Cushion | Queen Mary's Crown (originally) |
| Cullinan V | 18.8 | Heart | Platinum Brooch |
| Cullinan VI | 11.5 | Marquise | Brooch with Cullinan VIII |
| Cullinan VII | 8.8 | Marquise | Part of Delhi Durbar Parure |
| Cullinan VIII | 6.8 | Oblong | Brooch |
| Cullinan IX | 4.4 | Pear | Ring |
The Star of Africa Diamond Today
As the most important diamond in the British Crown Jewels, the Star of Africa Diamond far exceeds the size of the famous Koh-I-Noor which, in comparison, is a mere 105.6 carats and sits in the Queen Mum’s crown. The Star of Africa remains in the British Crown Jewels on display at the Tower of London, where millions of visitors come annually just to see the medieval regalia that has been used in royal ceremonies for centuries.
The Star of Africa Diamond-officially known as Cullinan I-is the largest cut stone from the famous 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905. Weighing 530 carats, the flawless, colorless gem was expertly cut to maximize its brilliance and placed in the Sovereign’s Sceptre, where it still resides today.
The British tradition of holding a gold and jeweled scepter began with Charles II’s coronation in 1611-and continues today with a redesigned version featuring the mammoth Star of Africa Diamond. The diamond scepter underscores the monarchy’s “god given” power, and fittingly represents the Crown, which holds untold riches and power.
Following in her father’s footsteps, Queen Elizabeth held the regal diamond scepter at her coronation in 1953. Seventy years later, her son, King Charles III, carried the same golden staff adorned with the Star of Africa diamond during his coronation in 2023.
The Cullinan diamond price is estimated at more than two billion US dollars. One of the most fascinating things about the Cullinan diamond price is this: because the original stone has been split into nine large diamonds and several smaller ones, no single value can be applied. Altogether, the polished gems that once made up the Cullinan diamond are worth billions of dollars.
The Star of Africa is the world’s second-largest cut diamond. It is exceeded only by the Golden Jubilee, a 545 carat brown diamond that was discovered in 1985.
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