Hello readers!
How is everyone? I hope everyone is up and rearing to go after the long break?
Or are you secretly hoping (like me) for a longer break? If you are, then read
on for a little pick-me-up as GRADUAN brings you Today In History!
Thomas Evan Powell,
a miner at the Premier Mine in Pretoria, South Africa must have felt AMAZING on
25 January 1905 when he discovered what was to become the World’s
Largest Diamond (ever!).
The Cullinan
diamond (and no, it has nothing to do with the Cullen’s from Twilight!) at
3,106 carats and weighing in at a whopping 621.35 g is the
largest rough gem-quality diamond ever found.
The diamond was
sold to the Transvaal provincial government, which later presented the stone to
Britain's King Edward VII as a birthday gift. Wow! That sure was some birthday
present!
The Cullinan was
later cut into 9 large stones and about 100 smaller ones. The largest polished
gem cut from the stone is named Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa, is now
mounted in the head of the British Sovereign’s Royal Sceptre.
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| The Great Star of Africa |
While the second
largest gem (Cullinan II or the Lesser Star of Africa) sits in the Imperial
State Crown. Both of these stones are on display in the Tower of London with
Britain's other crown jewels.
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| The Lesser Star of Africa |
The value of the
Cullinan diamond is estimated at over £200 million or $400 million!
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| Queen Elizabeth II with the Royal Sceptre and Imperial State Crown |
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