The intriguing fate of the world's largest diamond.
Recently, Gem Diamonds Ltd., a gemstone mining company, discovered a massive 910-carat diamond, the size of two golf balls, in Africa. However, this diamond is still only about one-third the size of the world's largest diamond, the Cullinan, which weighs 3,106 carats. The story of the Cullinan is as fascinating as its extraordinary fate.
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January 26, 1905 was a lucky day for Frederick Wells, the manager of the Premier diamond mine in South Africa, when he discovered a transparent, hand-sized stone while working.
Initially, he thought it was just a piece of glass someone had playfully buried underground, but when he pried it up with a knife, he was truly surprised and overwhelmed to find it was the largest rough diamond he had ever seen.Later, the rough diamond was named Cullinan after the owner of the mine, Sir Thomas Cullinan. Cullinan weighs 3,106 carats (equivalent to 621.35 grams), is white in color, and is almost the size of a hand.
The Transvaal colonial government decided to purchase the Cullinan diamond for £150,000 to present to King Edward VII.
The process of transporting the diamond from South Africa to England was far from simple. Due to the immense value of the Cullinan, a diversionary tactic was employed: a fake diamond was placed inside the safe, and it was transported by ship with numerous detectives providing protection.
The real diamond, however, was sent to London via post as a regular package.
On November 9, 1907, the diamond was presented to King Edward VII on his 66th birthday. The King declared that this magnificent and unique diamond would be carefully preserved and guarded like other Royal treasures.
On the first attempt, the blade broke instantly, and Cullinan remained intact. On the second attempt, he succeeded and was so overjoyed that he fainted. Ultimately, Cullinan was divided into 9 main diamonds and 96 smaller diamonds from the fragments.
Second on the list is the Cullinan II, weighing 317.4 carats, rectangular in shape, and set in the British Royal Crown. The remaining diamonds are all used as heirloom jewelry within the Royal Family.
