The Cullinan, the biggest gem-quality diamond weighing 3106 ct., ever found, was discovered at the Premier Mine in the Transvaal, South Africa on 26 January 1905.
The rough diamond measured 2 x 2½ x 4 inches, weighed 1⅓ pounds and was nearly flawless. It was named the Cullinan in honour of Sir Thomas Cullinan, the founder of the Premier Mine, who was visiting that very day.
Louis Botha, Premier of the Transvaal, persuaded his government to buy the stone ($1 million) and presented it to England’s King Edward VII as a token of thanks for granting Transvaal its own constitution.
Louis Botha, Premier of the Transvaal, persuaded his government to buy the stone ($1 million) and presented it to England’s King Edward VII as a token of thanks for granting Transvaal its own constitution.
Amsterdam’s House of Asscher, who cut the 995 ct. Excelsior, was chosen to cut the Cullinan. The stone was divided into nine major gems, 96 smaller stones and about 22ct of unpolished pieces. The two largest gems were kept for England’s regalia and the rest went to Asscher as payment. King Edward bought one of the major gems for his consort, Queen Alexandra. The Transvaal government bought the remaining stones and pieces and presented the other six major gems to Queen Mary (consort of England’s next king, George V) in 1910. Two of the smaller stones were presented to Louis Botha, who gave one to his daughter when she turned 17.
