The Cullinan Diamond In The Crown Jewels

These 3 photos have a watermark, but the copyright is likely The Royal Collection. Who else has access to remove and hold the gems up? I volunteer next time.😁 

The Cullinan Diamond is the biggest gem-quality rough diamond ever found. Some geologists think the largest clear diamonds such as the Cullinan Diamond (and Hope Diamond) were formed 100s of miles deeper within the earth's mantle than 99% of other gem diamonds, which are also smaller. At one time, the land might also have been ocean floor. Uncut the Cullinan Diamond named after Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the Premier mine in South Africa, weighs 3,106 carats. Discovered in 1905, click here for a short history and here for the longer history and controversy of the diamond.

Photo of the 9 largest cut stones : The Royal Collection

Photo of the 9 largest stones faceted into jewels - The Royal Collection

On THE SAVVY SHOPPER, I hope we can Ooh and Ahh over the majestic diamond plus appreciate how diamonds are nothing more than pure carbon rocks that billions of years and human hands turn into spectacular sparklers, i.e., the jewels they become. 

An expert diamond cutter studies a rough diamond's structure to determine how it should best be cut, usually aiming to keep as much of the gemstone as possible. After cutting, another expert polishes the diamond. 

The 3,106 carat Cullinan Diamond (↖that's it on the left) was cut into 105 stones by Joseph Asscher & Company in Amsterdam with the 9 biggest stones eventually ending up in the possession of the British Royal Family. Reportedly some were gifts and others bought.

Let's take a closer look at the 9 largest Cullinan Diamond stones now with the British monarchy, along with a helpful cheatsheet. I needed to refer back to it, focusing on the shapes, to get the remainder of the blog right!:👀 

The two biggest of the cut diamonds, Cullinan I and Cullinan II are sometimes called The Great Star of Africa and the Second Star of Africa, respectively ... as if keeping the cut diamonds straight isn't challenging enough!

Here's where those 9 large cut diamonds ended up ...

The Cullinan I, a pendeloque cut (which is an ornament-like round brilliant-cut pear) weighs 530.2 carats. It was placed on top of The Sovereign's Scepter in 1910 by Garrard & Company on the instruction of George V. On the right is how it looks standing alone. The Cullinan I is the largest colorless diamond in the world!

The Cullinan II is the 317.40 cushion cut center diamond in the Imperial State Crown, its placement also decided by George V. The Cullinan II is the 2nd largest colorless diamond in the world. 

The Cullinan III is a pear shaped 94.4 carat diamond. Along with the Cullinan  IV, a square cut 63.6 carat diamond it became a brooch often worn by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Cullinan V is considered a one-of-a-kind heart-shaped diamond, weighing 18.8 carats. It's set surrounded by even more diamonds and platinum into another brooch. Bling, bling, bling!🙂

The Cullinan VI is set into a 3rd brooch and to the right as it appears loose. It is an 11.5 carat marquise cut diamond. The Cullinan VIII, an emerald cut 6.8 carat diamond, is mounted on the top of the 3rd brooch.

The Cullinan VII, a smaller marquise cut 8.8 carat diamond, is dangling from the gorgeous emerald and diamond Delhi Durbar Necklace. Like many of the standout gemstones owned by the British royals, the Cullinan VII diamond is detectable.

The Cullinan IX is a pear shape diamond weighing 4.39 carats that is made into a ring.

So the cut Cullinan Diamond is numbered from biggest I to smallest IX stones in descending carat weight! The Cullinan Diamond stones I and II, which are part of the Crown Jewels, are on view at the Tower of London. Stones III - IX are not part of the Crown Jewels but are pieces in Charles III's personal jewelry. 

Photo: Science Photo Libary - a replica of the Cullinan Diamond uncut

Estimates for the value of the Cullinan suite of diamonds can be found, but none of the jewels are insured, and given their history, they are irreplaceable and priceless. When I was in London on a group tour in college, it was decided (not by me😁) that the lines were too long to see them.💂

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