Guinness World Records
Cullinan Diamond
O Maior Diamante com Qualidade de Gema Já Encontrado
Peso bruto
3.106 ct
Descoberta
26 jan. 1905
Origem
África do Sul
Lapidado em
105 pedras
Cullinan Diamond — pedra bruta original, 3.106 quilates (foto histórica, 1905)
The Cullinan Diamond is the largest gem-quality diamond ever found in human history. Discovered on January 26, 1905, at the Premier Mine in Cullinan, South Africa, the rough crystal weighed 3,106 carats — equivalent to 621.2 grams, approximately the size of a human heart. The stone was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the mine's founder. Its discovery by manager Frederick Wells at a depth of 5.5 meters was one of the most remarkable moments in the history of world gemology.
The Cullinan was purchased by the Transvaal Colony government in 1907 for £150,000 and presented to King Edward VII of Great Britain on his 66th birthday. The transport was done ingeniously: while a replica was sent by ship with a large escort, the real diamond was sent by ordinary mail in a plain box.
The diamond was cut by the Asscher Brothers firm of Amsterdam in 1908. Joseph Asscher studied the crystal for months before making the first cut. According to legend, he fainted after the initial blow — such was the pressure. The cutting process lasted 8 months and produced 9 large stones and 96 smaller ones.
The two largest resulting stones are Cullinan I (also called the 'Great Star of Africa') at 530.4 carats — the world's largest cut diamond — and Cullinan II at 317.4 carats. Both are part of the British Crown Jewels and are on display at the Tower of London.
Cullinan I is set in the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross, while Cullinan II adorns the Imperial State Crown. Together, they represent the absolute pinnacle of diamond cutting in human history.
Os 9 Fragmentos Principais
| Nome | Quilates | Corte | Localização atual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cullinan I — Grande Estrela da África | 530,2 ct | Pendeloque (74 facetas) | Cetro do Soberano — Joias da Coroa |
| Cullinan II — Segunda Estrela da África | 317,4 ct | Cushion (66 facetas) | Imperial State Crown — Joias da Coroa |
| Cullinan III — Estrela Menor da África | 94,4 ct | Pera | Coleção privada da Coroa |
| Cullinan IV | 63,6 ct | Quadrado | Coleção privada da Coroa |
| Cullinan V | 18,8 ct | Coração | Broche de platina — Coroa |
| Cullinan VI | 11,5 ct | Marquise | Coleção privada da Coroa |
| Cullinan VII | 8,8 ct | Marquise | Coleção privada da Coroa |
| Cullinan VIII | 6,8 ct | Oblong | Coleção privada da Coroa |
| Cullinan IX | 4,4 ct | Pera | Anel — Coleção privada da Coroa |