Famous Diamonds 3

This is a multi part article and is strictly for educational purposes.

The Centenary

The Centenary was found on July 17th, 1986 at the Premier Mine. Only a handful of people knew about it and all were sworn to silence. On March 11th, 1988, the centenary celebrations of De Beers took place in Kimberly and a banquet was held to close the Kimberly Mine also known as the Big Hole. Over 400 people were in attendance. Representatives of several national governments of diamond-producing countries and dignitaries from various sections of the industry listened as the chairman, Julian Oglivie Thompson, declared; we have recovered at the Premier Mine a diamond of 599 carats, which is perfect in color. Indeed it is one of the largest top-color diamonds ever found. Naturally it will be called the Centenary Diamond.

This extraordinary mine has produced several outstanding diamonds of the most superb color, which have been cut into famous gems: The Cullinan in 1905; the Niarchos in 1954; the Taylor-Burton in 1966 and the Premier Rose in 1978. The Premier Diamond Mine has produced close to 300 stones weighing more than 100 carats each, and 25 percent of the world's diamonds weighing more than 400 carats each.

Conde Pink Diamond

Louis XIII are said to have bought the stone in 1643 after which the King presented it to Louis de Bourbon, Prince of Conde, and Commander of the French Army during the Thirty Years War. It is a light pink pear-shaped diamond that weights 9.01 carats. The stone is currently on display in the Musee de Conde in Chantilly, France.

Cullinan Diamond

The Cullinan 1 also called the Star of Africa, is a pear shaped diamond weighing 530.20 carats. It is called the Cullian 1 because it was it was the largest of 9 stones cut from the Cullian Diamond. The Cullian 1 is the 2nd largest cut diamond in the world and is part of the Crown Jewels of England. It is currently on display in the Tower of London.

The famous blue diamonds come in different shapes including pear shaped and octagon shaped. The cut of these valuable gems is especially important for large, colored stones and the cut must enhance the natural beauty of these wonderful gems. Sometimes the largest stones that are found with a blue color are studied extensively before any cutting is begun.

Cullinan II Diamond

The Cullian II is 317.40 carat stone cut into a cushion shaped. It is the center-front of the Imperial State Crown of Great Britian. Note the 2 platinum loops on the top and bottom edges. This feature has been added to allow the stone to be worn as a brooch or alone with the Cullinan 1 attached.

David Cowley has created numerous articles on Diamonds. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Diamonds. Visit Diamonds