En Star of Africa

2020-04-28

Preface

Star of Africa has been well-known as the most famous diamond Cullinan, which was the most giant diamond all over the world with 3,106.75 carats. It is in white and 1.369 pounds, resembling a human heart when it was uncut. After cutting down the diamond with skillful workmanship,the diamond split into 9 large pieces and 96 smaller ones. Therefore, these nine diamonds with personality experienced their own life through over a century, carving imprints into history.

An Incredible Discovery

On January 26^th , 1905, Thomas Evan Powell, the miner had dug a rock from underground, inspecting carefully. Then, he handed it to manager of the Premier Mine,Captain Frederick Wells. Superintendent checked it again and again to confirm that it was exactly a diamond. Luckily, it did embed in the wall, being a diamond. They were astonished by its incredible size whose weight was 11/3 pounds, 37/8 inches long and 25/8 inches high! Afterwards, the owner of diamond company in Premier Mine, Sir Thomas Cullinan gave his name to this unique diamond, Cullinan. To comprehend its size, the nine-cut diamonds named Cullinan I to IX and the second biggest among Cullinan diamonds, with 317.4 carats, is ranked the forth largest of polished diamonds around the world.

A Fascinating Journey

Immediately, the Cullinan became global sensation, which was purchased by the Transvaal Colony Government. Not only did acquire the government £150,000, but also they purchased more than 10 times insurance for its indispensability.
Finally, Prime Minister of the Transvaal Colony Government Louis Botha gave an advice to present the massive diamond as gift to King Edward VII with a profound meaning, “a token of the loyalty and attachment of the people of Transvaal to his throne and person”. Hence, officials conducted a vote, indicating 42 cabinet members against the proposal and 19 representatives support it. Oddly, the colonial English offered objections while the Boers endorsed the suggestion. In addition, British Prime Minister, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman would leave the determination to the King, who was willing to take the diamond onto the crown.
Later, Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister and he persuade the king to accept this gift. Moreover, he even showed off a replica instead on a silver plate to his friends.

A Magic Adventure

Due to its irreplaceable worth, detectives protected the Captain’s safe on the steamboat,carrying the rumored diamond from Africa to London with a grand ceremony. Actually, the safe loaded a replica and the real diamond was shipped to Britain in an ordinary via a plain box in postal manner.
On the 66-year-old birthday, the Cullinan Diamond was presented to the King Edward VII, including the Queen of Spanish and the Queen of Norway as well as numerous guests coming to celebrate.The king claimed that “this great and unique diamond will be kept and preserved among the historic jewels which form the heirlooms of the crown.”
Soon after, growing as the British Crown and jewel collection of royal family, the Chillinan was entrusted to Asscher Brothers in Amsterdam, Holland and started another trip.Firstly, a Royal Navy Ship sailed across the North Sea to attract public gazes and the fan fare. However, Abraham Asscher carried the Cullinan in his own pocket on the other separated ship and arrived in Amsterdam safely. For making a plan on diamond-cutting, Cullinan has been a difficulty through their craft history so they took several photos to ensure press-satisfaction.

If there was something in accident, the diamond could be shatter into dust. Joseph Asscher had to manufactured new tools, only 1 centimeter deep, for cleave diamond into accurate size based on calculation. However, when Joseph took action, the knife broke his hand and the stone remained unchanged oppositely. Four days later, Joseph armed with larger knives and heavier blades, cleaving the stone into two pieces as quick as possible, and the dream came true, finally.

Cullinan I was distributed to Chief polisher, Henri Koe, a 20-year veteran of Royal Asscher Diamond Company. They established a experts team for polishing the stone month by month. Eventually, King Edward VII named the biggest one “The Great Star of Africa” and “The Smaller Star of Africa” respectively.

Cullinan I : The Great Star of Africa

The most prestigious segment of the original stone is the Cullinan I, which is weighed 530.2 carats within pear-cut shape,74 facets and set in the head of Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross. It also can be removed flexibly as Cullinan II because of their platinum loops on edges to adapt the heads of the state to wear them. Nowadays, the royal Asscher Diamonds signature cuts also have 74 facets as an homage to Cullinan I.

Cullinan II: The Smaller Star of Africa

This rectangular cushion-cut shape weighs 317.4 carats and it was set in the front of circle portion of the Great Britain’s Imperial State Crown. With its heart position, it sits alongside the Stuart Sapphire, St. Edward’s Sapphire, the Black Prince’s Ruby and 2,868 additional brilliant-cut diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 269 pearls.

Cullinan III: Sister with Cullinan IV

This pear-cut diamond weighs 94.4-carat, which had been in favour of private jewel collection from Queen Mary, consort of King George V. Although it is not as popular as Cullinan I and II, Queen Mary regarded them as her sweeties so that it was decorated for her coronation crown, also later for the Delhi Durbar Tiara.

Cullinan IV: Granny’s Chips

At present, Cullinan IV is always appeared with its Cullinan III as a brroch in configuration, whose shape is square-cut as it weighs 63.6 carats. These days, Elizabeth II would also choose them to put together an outfit. Even in 1958, Queen Elizabeth II wore Cullinan III and IV, visiting Louis Asscher, brother of Joseph Asscher and conducted a conversation, “Here Mr. Asscher, you can take them in your hands, you held them in your hands before!”. Louis was moved by the handed legend craft.

Cullinan V: Favourite of Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II inherited this romantic heart shape diamond from Queen Mary in 1953. It 18.8 carats diamond was set in platinum at the centre of a brooch.With decorated surrounding smaller stones, Queen Mary was fond of combining Cullinan VI and VII with V together. Meanwhile, it is the fave of Elizabeth II.

Cullinan VI: Celebrity’s Chioce

Cullinan VI is not an essential segment of the British Crown Jewels but it could be found on celebrity engagement. This marquise cut diamond often hangs from Cullinan V or VIII to group up as brooches in different style. The 11.5 carats jewellery is not a centre topic like V brooch showed up in public, it is still selected on shimmering engagements.

Cullinan VII: Delhi Durbar Necklace

Cullinan VII is also a marquise cut diamond with 8.8-carat weights. At the beginning, it was originally given from King Edward VII to Queen Alexandra. Then it was owned by the Duchess of Cambridge. Later, Queen Mary made for famous necklace, the grand emerald Delhi Durbar.

Culinan VIII: “It Gets in The Soup”

Britain’s crown jeweller Garrad was honored to design and set in platinum to adapt both brooch alongside Coming in 6.8 carats diamond, VIII is a shinning cushion-cut treasure, which is a brooch inherited by Elizabeth II in 1953, too. Nevertheless, the Queen Elizabeth II never wears this jewel in public area and even has complained, “It gets in the soup!”

Cullinan IX: A Splendid Royal Ring

Last but not least, Cullinan IX is set in a platinum ring, weighing 4.39 carats, which was created by Garrard & Co. in 1911. The pear-cut diamond ring is also priceless and being a part of royal collection. As other eight Cullinan diamonds, the public is able to visit and view these treasure the Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London presently.

En Star of Africa

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