British Royal Jewels: Cullinan VI and VIII Brooch

Cullinan VI is the large of the two Cullinan marquise-cut diamonds (the smaller one being Cullinan VII) and weighs 11.5 carats. Its setting is very similar to Cullinan V: a marquise pendant set on a fine radiating platinum web in symmetrically scrolling and foliate millegrain and pavé-set brilliant border.

Cullinan VI and VIII Brooch

It is differs from the other stones in that it was purchased by King Edward VII from Asscher in 1908 as a gift for Queen Alexandra. The other stones were gifts to Edward VII from Transvaal (Cullinans I and II), and to Queen Mary from South Africa (Cullinans III, IV, V, VII, VIII, and IX).

British Royal Jewels:Cullinan II Diamond (The Second Star of Africa)

The Cullinan II is the second largest diamond cut from the original Cullinan stone, which had been discovered in South Africa in 1905.

Cullinan II or the Second Star of Africa

The Second Star of Africa is a cushion-shaped diamond which weights 317.4 carats (63.48 g). It is currently the fourth largest polished diamond in the world.

The first setting of the stones was a temporary one; together with Cullinan I, it was mounted as a brooch for Queen Alexandra. After Edward VII’s death in 1910, the new King commissioned Garrard to incorporate the diamond into the existing Crown Regalia, which had been Edward VII’s original intention as well.

British Royal Jewels: Cullinan I Diamond (The Star of Africa)

Cullinan I or the Star of Africa is the largest of the Cullinan Diamonds cut from the original Cullinan stone, which had been discovered in South Africa in 1905.

The Cullinan I Diamond on its own (left) and mounted in the Sceptre (right)

The Star of Africa is colourless, pear-shaped, and weights 530.2 carats (106.1 g). For many years, it had been the largest polished diamond in the world until the 1985 discovery of the Golden Jubilee Diamond, which weights 545.67 carats (109.13 g). Cullinan I still remains the largest colourless diamond in the world though: the Golden Jubilee one has a yellow-brown colour. Incidentally, both diamonds were discovered at the same mine – the Premier Mine in South Africa.