The diamond Excelsior.
This diamond was discovered in South Africa, on June 30th, 1893, to the mine of Jagersfontein. It is of blue color.
The rough diamond weighed approximately 995 carats.
In 1904, it was cut in Amsterdam by Asscher and Co in 21 diamonds, from 1 to 70 carats.
As for Cullinan, its shape prevented from cutting it in a single stone. The rough diamond presented in its center a black inclusion requiring to split it.
After a long study of the rough one, it was decided to cut it in 21 stones: 8 pears of respectively 69,68, 47,03, 34,91, 24,31, 13,86 and 0,82 carats; 3 marchionesses 40,23, 28,61 and 26,30 carat (shuttles); 10 diamonds cut in round shape (diamonds) for a total weight of 20,23 carats.
The diamond Excelsior was bought in 1996 by the jeweler Robert Mouawad
