HERITAGE: CULLINAN DIAMOND MINE

The Cullinan Diamond Mine owes its historic fame to the largest diamond uncovered – the Cullinan Diamond.

An influential building contractor named Thomas Cullinan bought the Elandsfontein farm that housed the Cullinan Diamond Mine in 1903. Less than two years later, a rough diamond was found nine metres down and protruding from the sidewall of the pit measuring a staggering 3,106.75 carats. The Cullinan Diamond was established as the greatest diamond ever found, the jewel was named after the mine’s owner and sold to the South African government who presented it to King Edward VII on his 66th birthday. The largest diamond the world has ever known was cut into nine major stones and approximately 96 smaller diamonds.

The main piece of the polished gem, named Cullinan I, or The Great Star of Africa, was the biggest of the collection and measured an astonishing 530.2 carats. The diamond remained the largest until the discovery of the 545.67 carat Golden Jubilee Diamond found in 1985 in the Cullinan Diamond Mine. The Great Star of Africa is displayed in the head of England’s royal Sceptre while the Lesser Star of Africa, or Cullinan II measuring 317.4 carats, forms part of the British crown jewels’ Imperial State Crown. Both South African-mined diamonds are exhibited at the Tower of London.

Sir Thomas Major Cullinan remained involved with operations after the significant discovery until 1923 when he resigned as Chairman and as a prominent board member, selling his shares to move on to other ventures. Cullinan died in 1936 but his mine continued to unearth the largest and most famous gems ever known. In 2003, to commemorate the world’s most famous diamond miner, the 100-year-old was officially renamed the Cullinan Diamond Mine. To this day, the Cullinan Diamond Mine remains a major diamond manufacturer and Cullinan Diamonds are accredited with major dealers across the globe.

Discover more on the legendary diamonds found in the Cullinan Diamond Mine.