The largest rough gem-quality diamond

The largest rough gem-quality diamond in the world was found by Frederick Wells (above center), of the Premier Diamond Mining Company in 1905. The rough stone was 3,106.75 carats, weighed over 1.3 pounds (621 grams), was colorless and free of inclusions. Known as the "Cullinan Diamond", the rough uncut stone was sold to the Transvaal Government for 150,000 pounds.

In 1907 King Edward VII had the stone cut into eleven gemstones by Joseph and Jacob Asscher in Amsterdam. The largest of the eleven was named the "Cullinan l" or the "Great Star of Africa" (below, far right) which weighed 530.20 carats. The second largest cut diamond to come from the Cullinan stone was called the "Cullinan ll" or "Lesser Star of Africa", weighing 317.40 carats (below, right).The Great Star of Africa was the largest polished diamond in the world until the discovery of the "Golden Jubilee" diamond in 1985. The Golden Jubilee diamond was also from the Premier Diamond Mine and has a cut weight of 545.67 carats.