The largest diamond that has ever been found is the Cullinan Diamond, and it weighed 3106.75 carats (621.35 g) at the time of its discovery. It was found in Cullinan of South Africa, in a mine called Premier No.2 on 26 January 1905. The diamond was named after the owner of the mine, Thomas Cullinan. But this gem was not sold for two years after it was put on sale in London on April 1905, and was later bought by the Transvaal Colony government in 1907. It was gifted to Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom, by the Prime Minister Louis Botha. The diamond was however cut by Joseph Asscher & Co. in Amsterdam based on the King’s liking.
Through the years, the Cullinan mine has produced stones of various cuts and sizes. Cullinanlor the Great Star of Africa, which is the largest clear cut diamond in the world, weighs 530.4 carats (106.08 g), and adorns the head of the British Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross, which is a part of the Crown Jewels of the British monarch.
The second-largest diamondalso comes from Cullinan and is named Cullinan II or the Second Star of Africa, weighing 317.4 carats (63.48 g). It is mounted in the Imperial State Crown. The two of the largest diamonds are thus part of the British Crown Jewels. Seven other major diamonds, that is, total of 208.29 carats (41.66 g), were owned by Elizabeth II privately. She inherited them from her grandmother, Queen Mary, in 1953. Apart from these, the Queen also owned minor stones and a set of unpolished fragments from Cullinan.
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