Diamond Cullinan

The diamond Cullinan is the biggest ever discovered rough diamond, with a mass of 3 106 carats, that is more than 621,2 grams (10x 6.5cm).

It was discovered in only 9m of depth, on January 26th, 1905 in the mine first one in South Africa, renamed Cullinan, in 50km of Pretoria.
(A copy is for sale on the site).

It bears the name of the owner of the mine where it was discovered, sir Thomas Cullinan. It was bought by the South African government which decided to offer it to king Edouard VII of England to thank it for having given the autonomy to states Afrikaners.
The Rough diamond was sent in London, in secret by recommended package-post franked in 3 schillings, while an empty casket was sent with a big host of precautions since Pretoria.

The size of the diamond Cullinan was entrusted to the brothers Asscher of Amsterdam.
The stone was then transported from London to Amsterdam. A plumbed package under guard crossed Manche aboard a ship of Royale Navy. But this package was empty while Abraham Asscher made the "pebble" travel simply in his pocket aboard a train and aboard a ferry.

Cullinan brut - Rough Cullinan

The rough diamond was cut in 105 stones among which 9 diamonds of important size: Cullinan I, 530.20 carats; Cullinan II, 317.40 carats; Cullinan III, 94.40 carats; Cullinan IV, 63.60 carats; Cullinan V, 18.50 carats; Cullinan VI, 11.50 carats; Cullinan VII, 8.80 carats, Cullinan VIII - 6.80 carats and Cullinan IX, 4.39 carats,

Cullinan I or Great Star of Africa:

CullinanI

This diamond is cut in a pear of 530.20ct. It decorates the British imperial spectre;

Cullinan II or Lesser Star Of Africa:

CullinanII

Cut in shape pillow of 317.40ct. It decorates the crown of England.

Cullinan III: 94.40 carat pear is on the crown of Queen Mary and can be worn in brooch with Cullinan IV (photo below).

Cullinan III

Cullinan IV: 63.30 carat pillow. It was so originally on the crown, but could be separately worn (photo above).

Cullinan V: triangular pear of 18.80 carats. Initially taken up in brooch, he could also find its place on the crown, as a replacement by Koh-i-Noor. It was after Koh-i-Noor was placed on the new crown of Queen Elisabeth in 1937.

Cullinan VI: 11.50 carat marchioness. It was offered first of all by king Edward to his wife, Queen Alexandra. It is now worn by Queen Elisabeth II by hanging on a necklace of emeralds.

Cullinan VII is a 8.80 carat marchioness taken up by hanging on a brooch the stone of center of which is Culinan VIII, a 6.80 carat cousin (photo (below).

Cullinan VII & VIII

Cullinan IX, a 4.39 carat pear rose on a ring made for Queen Mary and sometimes wore by Queen Elisabeth.