Magnificent. Grand. Gigantic. Extraordinary. Special. Unique. These are only a few of the many ways to describe the Cullinan Diamond. This diamond is one-of-a-kind as it is the largest diamond that has ever been discovered but where exactly was this diamond found? What happened to this diamond?
These are a few of the topics which this blog will delve into.
Where was the Cullinan Diamond found?
More than a century ago in 1905, the Cullinan diamond was discovered in South Africa. This discovery was remarkable and unique as one could say it happened unintentionally. Upon doing an inspection of the Premier Mine, located just east of the City of Pretoria in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, superintendent Frederick Wells unexpectedly came across what would become the world’s largest-ever diamond found. So unexpected was the discovery that Frederick Wells assumed it could not possibly be a diamond. Upon further testing, the results proved the unexpected, Frederick Wells had discovered the largest diamond ever found with a weight of 3,106 metric carats and a size of 10.1 x 6.35 x 5.9 cm. Subsequently, Frederick Wells decided to name his discovery after the chairman of the mining company in charge of the Premier Mine, Sir Thomas Cullinan.
From left: Premier Diamond Mine, The Rough Cullinan Diamond, Upon its discovery, Cullinan crystal (rough) is handed from Fred Wells (right) to McHardy, who then hands it to Sir Thomas Cullinan.
What happened to this diamond after it was discovered?
The diamond was discovered during a time when colonialism was rife on the African continent. This meant that the location of the discovery was within a British Colony, the Transvaal, and as such, the diamond was transported to Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom for King Edward VII. The diamond was inspected by King Edward VII but ultimately went unsold for a further two years. The main reason for the diamond failing to sell was its enormous size and as such many people did not want to take on the risk of figuring out how to cut a diamond of that size.
It was only after the Anglo-Boer war that the diamond would be sold to the then-Transvaal government. The Transvaal government intended to use this diamond as a peace offering and a sign of good faith between the Transvaal and the British by gifting the diamond to King Edward VII. At first, the King was uncertain about accepting the diamond from the Transvaal government but ultimately Winston Churchill was able to persuade the King to accept the offer from the Transvaal government.
Where did the diamonds end up?
Upon receiving the Cullinan diamond from the Transvaal government, King Edward VII sent the diamond to the Asscher brothers in Amsterdam to be cut. This task proved to be just as tricky as everyone thought it would be as it took the brothers 8 months to split and cut the enormous diamond.
This was not only due to the mere size of the diamond but also due to the lack of technology during that time which meant the brothers had to ensure every cut that they made into the diamond was perfect and precise. It is believed that the blade used to cut the diamond broke when they attempted to cut the diamond, yet the diamond managed to stay fully intact. This further showed how remarkable this diamond was.
Diamond
The Cullinan diamond was eventually cut into nine smaller diamonds, named Cullinan I – IX. In 1909, King Edward VII decided to keep the two largest diamonds whilst also purchasing the Cullinan VI for his wife. The King also decided to gift the rest of the cut diamonds to the Asschers as some sort of remuneration for their 8 months of work.
The remaining Cullinan diamonds would however also find their way to the British Monarchy a mere 1 year later. The South African government decided to purchase the remaining pieces from the Asschers which they would also gift to the Royal Family. These were gifted to King George V after his father, King Edward VII, passed away. These diamonds have remained in the Royal Family ever since and were incorporated into the crown jewels of the family which would be inherited by Queen Elizabeth in 1953.
Where are these diamonds today?
The Cullinan diamonds remain in the possession of the British Royal Family. After Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September of 2022, the debate began on what should happen to these famed diamonds. Many South Africans thought that the jewels should be rightfully returned to South Africa where they belong as they believed they were not acquired legitimately.
This belief arises because the Cullinan Diamond was discovered in South Africa and as such, the diamond should rightfully belong to South Africa and not the British.
The Cullinan Diamonds Set in Sparkling Jewels
Cullinan I
The Cullinan I, also known as the Star of Africa, is the biggest diamond cut from the Cullinan. It measures 5.9 centimeters long, weighs 530.4 carats, and is pear-shaped. The diamond is set in the Sovereign’s Scepter with Cross, but can also be worn as a pendant or suspended from Cullinan II to create a brooch. However, wearing it as a pendant may cause some neck discomfort due to its weight and the diamond’s weight meant the scepter had to be reinforced in 1910.
Cullinan II
The Cullinan II, or the Second Star of Africa, is a rectangular cushion-cut diamond that weighs 317.4 carats. The Cullinan II diamond was inserted into the Imperial State Crown in 1910, which was originally created for Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1838 as a lighter alternative to the St. Edward’s Crown.
It was later used by Edward VII and remodeled for George VI’s coronation in 1937 and Elizabeth II’s coronation. The Cullinan II diamond is placed at the front of the crown’s band just below the Black Prince’s Ruby after the Stewart Sapphire was moved to the back to make room for it.
The crown is used in state events like the State Opening of Parliament and can be seen on public display with the Cullinan I in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. The Cullinan II can be taken out of the crown to be worn as a pendant or brooch, just like the Cullinan I.
The Cullinan III and IV
Cullinan III and IV, also known as the Lesser Stars of Africa, are diamonds that were both part of the Cullinan. Cullinan III is a 94.4-carat pear-cut diamond, while Cullinan IV is a 63.6-carat square-cushion-cut diamond. Queen Elizabeth II affectionately called them “Granny’s Chips”.
Queen Mary, the queen consort of George V, had the diamonds set in the surmounting cross of her newly acquired crown for her coronation in 1911. However, in 1914 they were removed and replaced with crystal models. Nowadays, Cullinan III is usually worn as a brooch, together with Cullinan IV. Although both stones could be placed back into the crown, Queen Mary’s crown has remained unworn since her death on March 24, 1953.
Cullinan V
Cullinan V is a diamond that weighs 18.8 carats and has a heart-like shape. It is set in the center of a platinum brooch that was originally part of a stomacher made for Queen Mary to wear at the Delhi Durbar in 1911.
The mounting of the diamond was designed to be highly adaptable. It can be suspended from the VIII brooch and can be used to suspend the VII pendant. When Queen Mary died in 1953, the brooch and all of her other jewelry were left to Elizabeth II. It’s rumored that this was one of Queen Elizabeth’s most favored pieces, as she wore it quite often.
Cullinan VI, VII VIII
Many pieces of Royal jewellery were created to be versatile. As well as the brooch, the 11.5 carat Cullinan VI has been used in a number of pieces including a diadem.
Cullinan VI is marquise-cut and weighs 8.8 carats. It usually hangs from the brooch containing Cullinan VIII. Along with the V, they formed part of the stomacher of the Delhi Durbar parure.
Cullinan VII is also marquise-cut and weighs 11.5 carats. It was originally given by Edward VII to Queen Alexandra. After his death, she gave the stone to Queen Mary, who had it set as a pendant hanging from the diamond and emerald Delhi Durbar Necklace, of the Delhi Durbar parure.
Cullinan VIII is a cushion-cut diamond weighing 6.8 carats. It is set in the center of a brooch forming part of the stomacher of the Delhi Durbar parure. As mentioned earlier it can be paired with Cullinan VI to form a brooch.
Buying Diamonds in Cape Town
When entering Mark Solomon Jewellers’ landmark Cape Town jewellery store, our passion for South African diamonds becomes evident! We carry one of the largest selections of loose diamonds available in South Africa; most of which come directly from South African diamond mines. As specialists in South African investment diamonds, we have an extensive range of South African round and fancy diamonds at competitive prices.
As one of the largest and most trusted suppliers, we’re confident you’ll find the most gorgeous African diamonds for sale at our Cape Town showroom.
If you’re in the market to buy a South African diamond, please visit our contact page and send us an email. We will be glad to assist you in any way we can.
