Cullinan diamond

THE CULLINAN DIAMOND

CULLINAN I

CULLINAN II

CULLINAN III & IV

THE CULLINAN DIAMOND The Cullinan was the largest diamond ever found weighing 3,106 carats. It was found on 26 of January in 1905 in the Premier-Mine of South-Africa by Frederick Wells. He got 10.000 $ for its finding. The diamond was called after the mine-owner Sir Thomas Cullinan.

A general of the ancient British colony gave the preciousness to King Edward VII as a birthday present on 9th November 1907.

The diamond was sent to be cut to the Asscher Brothers in Amsterdam, who already had successfully cut the Excelsior. They examined the uncut stone for months.

On February 10, 1908, Joseph Asscher tried to make the first cut, but the blade broke while the diamond remained intact. On the second attempt, it split exactly as planned. It was reported that after the second cut Mr. Asscher fainted. Ascher cut the roughdiamond into three principal parts. 105 single stones: Nine big and 96 small stones and 9.5 carats of unpolished pieces. The nine big stones were cut for the crown-jewels and are kept in London Tower.

Cullinan I (pear, 530.20 carats) The Great Star of Africa Cullinan II (cushion, 317.40 carats) Cullinan III (pear, 94.40 carats) Cullinan IV (square cushion, 63.60 carats) Cullinan V (heart, 18.50 carats) Cullinan VI (marquise, 11.50 carats) Cullinan VII (marquise, 8.80 carats) Cullinan VIII (rectangular cushion, 6.80 carats) Cullinan IX (pear, 4.39 carats).

Plus 96 Minor stones

Cullinan I - The Great Star of Africa The Cullinan I is a pear shaped diamond weighing 530.20 carats. It measures 53mm x 44mm x 29mm, and has 76 facets (counting the culet and the table). Cullinan I was cut from the largest diamond ever found, the Cullinan and adorns the scepter of King Edward VII and is on permanent display in the Tower of London. It is possible to remove the diamond from the Royal Scepter to wear it as a pin or pendant. This diamond is also known as “The Great Star of Africa”.

Actual size

The British Royal Scepter with “The Great Star of Africa”

Estimated value

Nearly ¼ Billion, Sterling £230 Million or €292 Million

Cullinan II “The Star of Africa” The Cullinan II is a cushion shaped diamond weighing 317.4 carats. It is the second largest diamond in the world and was cut from the same rough diamond as the Cullinan I. The diamond is in the center-front of the British Imperial State Crown. Called “The Star of Africa”

Actual size

The British Imperial State Crown with “The Star of Africa”

Cullinan I & II removed from Crown Jewels

Cullinan III and Cullinan IV The Cullinan III is a pear-shaped diamond weighing 94.40 carats. Together with the Cullinan IV it is in the crown of Queen Mary. Cullinan IV is a 63.60-carat cushion shape. Cullinan III and Cullinan IV have been worn as a pendant-brooch by Queen Elizabeth II. She called them Mamas trinkets.

Actual size The Cullinan IV (upper, 63.60 carats) and Cullinan III (lower, 94.40 carats), set in a pendant brooch.

The brooch is the most valuable brooch in the world with a value of over ÂŁ50,000,000. (ÂŁ50M)

Cullinan V

The Cullinan V (heart, 18.50 carats)

Cullinan VI

Cullinan VI

(marquise, 11.50 carats)

Cullinan VII, VIII

The Cullinan VII (lower, 8.80 carats) and Cullinan VIII (upper, 6.80 carats)

Cullinan IX

Cullinan IX, a 4.39 carat pear shape, is mounted in a ring with a prong setting that was made for Queen Mary; it too is sometimes worn by Queen Elizabeth II