THE STAR OF SOUTH AFRICA
This gem was found in the Vaal River diggings in 1869. Weight before cutting was 83½ carats, after cutting 46½ carats. It is triangular in shape, and was bought by the Countess of Dudley for £25,000 sterling.
THE JUBILEE
This faultless brilliant was found in the Jagersfontein mine in 1895. Before cutting, its weight was 634 carats; after cutting, 239 carats. The Jubilee was exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1900.
THE STAR OF AFRICA
This remarkable stone was discovered in the Premier mine near Pretoria, January 25th, 1905. It was named the “Cullinan,” after the chairman of the Premier Company, Sir T. M. Cullinan. It was renamed the “Star of Africa,” at the desire of King George V. Dr. Smith writes as follows with regard to it: “The rough stone weighed 3025¾ carats (about 1⅓ lbs.): it displayed three natural faces and one large cleavage face, and its shape suggested that it was a portion of an enormous stone more than double its size: it is transparent, colourless, and has only one small flaw near the surface. This magnificent diamond was purchased by the Transvaal Government for £150,000 sterling and presented to King Edward VII on his birthday, November 9th, 1907. Messrs. I. J. Asscher & Co. of Amsterdam, cut from this a drop brilliant 516½ carats, a square brilliant 3093⁄16 carats, another drop brilliant 92 carats, a square-shaped brilliant 62 carats, a heart-shaped stone 18⅜ carats, two marquises 89⁄16 and 11¼carats, an oblong stone 6⅝ carats, a drop brilliant 49⁄32 carats, and 96 small brilliants weighing together 7⅜ carats: the total weight of the cut stones amounts to 10365⁄32 carats.” The large drop brilliant adorns the sceptre, the large square brilliant the crown. The “Star of Africa” comes from the mine to adorn the regalia of the British sovereigns. It has no record of evil, no doubtful past, nor is it tainted with evil desires, violence or sorrow.
THE BRAGANZA
This stone, the weight of which is given as 1680 carats, is in the Portuguese regalia. It is believed, on good grounds, to be a large white topaz.
THE TIFFANY
This orange-tinted brilliant which was found at Kimberley, South Africa, in 1878, is in the possession of Messrs. Tiffany. Its weight is given as 125⅜ carats.