Here are six famous diamonds.
THE CULLINAN
3106ct rough weight
Origin: South Africa, Transvaal
On January 26, 1905, the Cullinan, the world’s largest gem-quality diamond, was discovered at the Premier Mine.
THE EUREKA
10.73 carat polished diamond, one of two cut from 21.25 carat rough
Oval in shape Yellow is a brilliant colour.
Unknown clarity
Origin: South Africa, Northern Cape
In 1867, a 15-year-old lad named Erasmus Jacobs discovered the Eureka on the south bank of the Orange River in Hopetown, Kimberley, and gave it to his neighbour, farmer Schalk van Niekerk, who was a collector of strange stones.
CULLINAN I, STAR OF AFRICA
47.75 carats polished, 83.50 carats rough
Pear in shape Brilliant
Unrecorded colour
Unrecorded clarity
Origin: South Africa’s Zandfontein Farm
The Cullinan I, or Star of Africa diamond, is the world’s largest cut diamond, at 530.20 carats. It is placed in the Royal Sceptre and is pear-shaped with 74 facets (kept with the other crown jewels in the Tower of London). It was carved from the 3,106-carat Cullinan, the world’s biggest diamond crystal.
HOPE DIAMOND
Shape: Oval Weight: 45.52ct Dark Blue is a brilliant colour.
Clarity: Perfectly reported
Origin: Unknown, but thought to be from India.
The Hope Diamond, named after Henry Thomas Hope and discovered centuries ago in India’s southern area, is often regarded as the world’s most renowned diamond.
THE EXCELSIOR
Rough weight: 995.2ct
Origin: South Africa’s Jagersfontein Mine
Most likely the second largest stone ever discovered. In 1893, a South African mine worker discovered a high-clarity blue-white stone in a shovel full of pebbles.
THE STAR OF SIERRA LEONE
Rough weight: 968.90ct
Sierra Leone, Yengema origin
The Star of Sierra Leone, discovered on February 14, 1972, is the world’s third largest rough diamond and the world’s largest alluvial gem diamond.
