The Cullinan is the largest gem-quality diamond ever found, measuring in at approximately 4.1 inches in length and 3,106.75 carats, or 1.37 lbs! To put its true size into perspective, it would take 142 separate one-carat diamonds to equal 1 ounce; yet the Cullinan diamond weighs in at almost 22 ounces!
This marvel was discovered in the Premier Mine in South Africa on January 25, 1905 and was then sold to the Transvaal Colony in South Africa, which, at the time, was under British rule. The Transvaal Colony’s plan was to gift the diamond to King Edward VII as a token of loyalty to his throne, and King Edward VII later announced that he would accept the precious gift.
Presently, The Cullinan has been cut into 9 significantly-sized stones, and 96 smaller stones. The largest cut of these 105 rare diamonds is the Cullinan I or the “Great Star of Africa,” which is a 530.2 carat pear shaped diamond that was then set into “The Scepter with the Cross” or the “Royal Scepter.”
It is safe to say that the discovery of The Cullinan Diamond is one of the greatest events in the gemological industry, since it is the world’s largest diamond ever discovered!