Diamonds last forever, and I love you forever. In the eyes of lovers, diamonds are the best token of love. Appreciating the world's largest natural diamond-Cullinan Giant Diamond from South Africa has become the wish of many people.
1902 In May, the British Empire, which was in full swing at that time, ended its war with the Boers in South Africa. That year, Thomas Kalinan, a wealthy construction contractor from Johannesburg, and percival Tracy, a prospector, bought a kimberlite cone mine in Transvaal, South Africa, which used to be farmland, for 52,000 pounds. Subsequently, they established Primia Drilling Company.
190565438+1On October 25th, the Cullinan diamond was found 9 meters underground in Primia drilling mine. It is the size of a normal person's fist and weighs 3 107 carats. It is still the largest natural diamond found in the world and has been endowed with legend.
When the Cullinan diamond was discovered, King Edward VII of England had just allowed the South African government to make its own constitution. According to the instructions of General Louis Botha, then the governor of transvaal province government and later the first South African federal prime minister, the government bought this rough stone at the price of 15000, and gave it to the royal family as a gift on Edward VII's 66th birthday to show his gratitude.
Hummel, the official biographer of Thomas Cullinan, described the interesting journey before and after the diamond was transported from South Africa to Britain.
1905 In April, Cullinan Diamond arrived in London quietly by an ordinary registered parcel on a ship leaving Cape Town. At that time, the insured price of the package was only 5 pounds! Subsequently, Cullinan Diamond lay quietly in London for another two years. At the end of 1907, the British royal family entrusted Joseph Arthur, a famous diamond dealer in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with full responsibility for the cutting plan of the original stone in Cullinan. Before cutting, the crystal structure was observed for 6 months. After careful design and numerous simulated cutting of glass and wax patterns, Arthur Brothers cut Cullinan diamonds into 9 large diamonds and 96 small diamonds in February 1908, and the weight of the broken diamonds after cutting alone reached more than 9 carats. Among them, Cullinan I is also known as the "Star of Africa" and enjoys the reputation of "the best in the century", weighing 530.2 carats. In order to show its power, the British royal family inlaid this giant diamond on the scepter made in 166 1 year, which symbolizes the power of the British king. Cullinan II, weighing 365,438+07.4 carats, is embedded in the crown of the royal empire and worn by the Queen of England to attend the annual opening ceremony of the British Parliament. Cullinan No.3 and No.4, weighing 94.4 carats and 63.6 carats respectively, are set in the crown of Queen Mary, and the other five diamonds are also set in the jewels belonging to the British royal family. At present, this scepter inlaid with Cullinan No.1 diamond is stored with other crown jewels in the Treasure Hall of the Tower of London, attracting countless tourists every year. This pear-shaped Cullinan No.1 diamond with 74 refracting surfaces is still the largest cut diamond in the world.
According to experts' estimation, the geological age of Kimberly vein containing Cullinan diamonds is 654.38+0 billion years. Hummel said that it is very interesting that the Cullinan diamond had seven very smooth surfaces when it was discovered. Based on this, experts judge that it may be just a part of a larger diamond. 1934 and 1954 respectively found two other big diamonds (Jonker and Niarchls) in Cullinan. Hummel believes that it is quite possible that these two diamonds and Cullinan diamond originally belonged to a larger original gem. He said: "The original gem that split into Cullinan diamonds was formed deep in the earth. It must have existed for a long time before it erupted and was hidden in kimberlite veins."
Mark Cullinan, the great grandson of Thomas Kriner, said that he was very lucky to be associated with the name and history of Cullinan diamonds. Mark Cullinan thinks he is very proud of three points: First, Cullinan Diamond is really unique in the world in color and weight; Second, the great achievements made by the early ancestors of South Africa; Thirdly, the legendary experience of "Cullinan Diamond" represents the close relationship between the Transvaal government of South Africa and Britain at that time.
Cullinan worked as a soldier, construction worker, farmer, entrepreneur and politician in his legendary life, and died in 1936. Cullinan not only developed the Primia diamond mine, but also co-founded the Transvaal Industrial Association and served as the chairman of the association. 19 10 served as a member of the first joint parliament of south Africa. Because of his special contribution in his life, King George V of England awarded him the title of Sir Cullinan.