The Cullinan Diamond

South Africa is one of the world’s top diamond producers. It is therefore significant that the largest diamond in the world was discovered in South Africa.

Percival Tracey and Thomas Cullinan established the Premier Mine near Pretoria in 1903. It was established on a large kimberlite pipe, which is estimated to be 1 200 million years old. Two years later, on 25 June 1905, the world’s largest diamond was found in this kimberlite pipe. It was appropriately named the Cullinan Diamond after Thomas Cullinan.

The diamond was bought by the Transvaal Government and presented to the British King. It was cut into 9 large stones and 96 smaller stones. The largest stone, known as the Star of Africa was set in the Royal Sceptre and the second largest stone, named the Lesser Star of Africa became part of the Imperial Crown.

The uncut Cullinan diamond weighed more than 500 g (1.1 lbs.) before it was cut up.

Indeed something that makes all South Africans proud!