Guess how big the diamond I saw this weekend was?

[chris-uk04]

As part of the British Crown Jewels, the Soveriegn’s Sceptre contains the world’s largest cut gem quality diamond, the Cullinan I or Great Star of Africa, which is a massive 530 carats in a pear cut. The Imperial State Crown also has the world’s second largest gem quality diamond, the Cullinan II or Second Star of Africa, which is 317 carats in more of a regent cut. Found in Africa, the rough stone weighed 3106 carats (1.3 lbs) and it was cut by Joseph Asscher in 1911. There were a total of 9 large stones, plus 96 smaller stones. The 105 carat Koh-i-Noor diamond is also part of British Crown jewels. It dates from the 1300s in India and is often reset in different items of the crown jewels. The rest of the crown jewels are loaded with diamonds and other jewels. They are simply amazing. 10 carat diamonds are common place and 2 carat stones are treated as accents.
The main display has moving walkways which take you by them so people don’t crowd around. You can go around again, which I did. I’m sure I was the only person there wondering how it would look on a brilliance scope. I have no idea what the color and clarity grades of these stones actually are, but I am curious? So if you ever get a chance to see, the crown jewels are housed in the Tower of London.

 

[Bagpuss]

We went to see the display last summer. I agree, it's a really amazing collection to see with your own eyes.

While the big famous stones are well worth seeing, I particularly liked the little all diamond coronet worn by Queen Victoria. No coloured stones at all, just a mass of diamonds, sparkling and twinkling under the lights.

I tried to find a picture of it on the Internet, but no luck. Do you know if it had a special name? I can't remember now.

 

[Nicrez]

Chris, the Cullinan I is truly a lovely stone, and I also saw some jewels this weekend at the Museum of Natural History in NYC, but nothing nearly as grand!!! You are so lucky!!!

The largest faceted diamond, is actually, NOT the Cullinan I, but the Golden Jubilee at 545.67 cts, but the Cullinan I is the largest COLORLESS...So if you like fancy colors, there's a BIGGER one out there...Imagine the poor Queen trying to sport both of those. How could she get up from the thrown without help?

...lucky gal...

 

[valeria101]

I have NEVER found any note on the color of any of nine named Cullinan diamonds... Surely it is known, since their type (IIa) has been identified. Given this bit of info, the honkers have greta chance to be high whites on top of it all, just wandering though...

 

[chris-uk04]

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On 2/23/2004 9:55:55 AM Bagpuss wrote:

We went to see the display last summer. I agree, it's a really amazing collection to see with your own eyes.

While the big famous stones are well worth seeing, I particularly liked the little all diamond coronet worn by Queen Victoria. No coloured stones at all, just a mass of diamonds, sparkling and twinkling under the lights.

I tried to find a picture of it on the Internet, but no luck. Do you know if it had a special name? I can't remember now.----------------

I bought a book on it, and I'll look it up tonight and edit this post tommorow!

 

[Nicrez]

Ana, the only thing I have been able to pinpoint about the Cullinans, is that they have been described as "perfectly colorless". I take that to mean they are all probably a D color. No mention of clarity.




Also, I some interesting facts that the rough from where they were cut was a 1.3 lbs (about 3,106 cts) and the total carat weight after 3 polishers working 8 full months was only 1,055.9cts. The Cullinan I was cut with 74 facets.

 

[Bagpuss]

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On 2/23/2004 11:15:37 AM chris-uk04 wrote:

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I bought a book on it, and I'll look it up tonight and edit this post tommorow!


----------------

Thanks, I'd appreciate it!

 

[Giangi]

If I remember correctly, the Cullinans are D color.

 

[mike04456]

Well, I have a book on it, so forgive me for beating you to it.

Both the Cullinan I and II are exceptional diamonds. They have been formally graded, but the grades are necessarily inexact since they could not be removed from the mountings (the Crown Jewels being national treasures).




The Cullinan I is thought to be D-E in color and VVS clarity. The Cullinan II, incredibly, is probably D-IF.

 

[Bagpuss]

"The Cullinan II, incredibly, is probably D-IF."

It looks it too!

 

[chris-uk04]

While the big famous stones are well worth seeing, I particularly liked the little all diamond coronet worn by Queen Victoria. No coloured stones at all, just a mass of diamonds, sparkling and twinkling under the lights.

I tried to find a picture of it on the Internet, but no luck. Do you know if it had a special name? I can't remember now.----------------

The small diamond crown worn by Queen Victoria is simply called Queen Victoria's small diamond crown. It was made in 1870. It is beautiful because all surface area of the crown is covered in diamond. It has over 1150 diamonds.

Joseph Asscher took 6 months to decide how best to cut the Cullinan. They found it in Africa, while they had a fake delivery with armed guards and high security... and shipped the real one in regular post. In another part of the Tower, they have a display on these diamonds. It shows how big the rough looked, how the stone was divided and cut, etc.

 

[Nicrez]

Ahhh....diamonds....

Now if anyone could post pictures...

 

[Bagpuss]

Something so pretty should have a pretty name, don't you think? All those diamonds.......... it looked great on display but it must look even more fantastic when it's worn, as the light would flash from every conceivable angle as the wearer moves her head.

I'd love to see a picture of it if anyone could scan one in.