26 January 1905 – Cullinan Diamond Discovered

A 3,106 carat diamond (in rough form) was discovered at Premier Mine, near Pretoria, on 26 January 1905. It was named for Sir Thomas Cullinan, who discovered the mine three years three years previously. The gem stone was bought by the Transvaal government and given to Edward VII, the reigning British monarch.

At the time it was the largest diamond ever discovered. An Amsterdam firm, Asscher and Company, was given the task of reducing it down to 9 large cut stones and almost 100 small ones. They were incorporated into the royal regalia. The largest stone, also known as the Great Star of Africa, is 530.2 carats and forms part of the royal scepter.