By Lucy Waterlow: 15:45 GMT, 15 May 2012
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They're the largest and flawless cut diamonds in the world and form part of the Crown Jewels guarded at the Tower of London. But the dazzling
gemstones that are set in the Sovereign's Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown were once nearly thrown away.
The large diamonds in the Crown Jewels were cut from the Cullinan Diamond, which weighed 3,106 carats in its rough state, when it was first
discovered in 1905 at a mine near Pretoria in South Africa.
But it was so large that its finders thought it must be crystal - so it was promptly thrown out of the window of the mine manager's office as it
was thought to be worthless.
However, the clerks were soon persuaded of the gem's worth and recovered it. It was named after the chairman of the mining company, Thomas
Cullinan, and went on to become part of the Crown Jewels after it had been cut and polished.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=article-2144720-131A8E70000005DC-114_306x423.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/article-2144720-131A8E70000005DC-114_306x423.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=article-2144720-131A8E74000005DC-234_306x423.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/article-2144720-131A8E74000005DC-234_306x423.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The extraordinary story of the diamonds has come to light as an exhibition of royal gems is being staged at Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee. The major display will reunite for the first time seven of the nine principal stones cut from the Cullinan Diamond.
The exhibition will be the focal point of the royal palace's 2012 summer opening and will include an unprecedented display of some of the Sovereign’s
personal jewels.
At the heart of the display are the gems from the Cullinan Diamond which was three times larger than any other diamond that had been previously
been found. Measuring 10.1 x 6.35 x 5.9cm, the diamond was notable for its extraordinary blue-white colour and exceptional purity.
View the other pieces of jewellery cut from the same stone: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...-display-Buckingham-palace.html#ixzz1uxGNCnts
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They're the largest and flawless cut diamonds in the world and form part of the Crown Jewels guarded at the Tower of London. But the dazzling
gemstones that are set in the Sovereign's Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown were once nearly thrown away.
The large diamonds in the Crown Jewels were cut from the Cullinan Diamond, which weighed 3,106 carats in its rough state, when it was first
discovered in 1905 at a mine near Pretoria in South Africa.
But it was so large that its finders thought it must be crystal - so it was promptly thrown out of the window of the mine manager's office as it
was thought to be worthless.
However, the clerks were soon persuaded of the gem's worth and recovered it. It was named after the chairman of the mining company, Thomas
Cullinan, and went on to become part of the Crown Jewels after it had been cut and polished.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=article-2144720-131A8E70000005DC-114_306x423.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/article-2144720-131A8E70000005DC-114_306x423.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=article-2144720-131A8E74000005DC-234_306x423.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/article-2144720-131A8E74000005DC-234_306x423.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
The extraordinary story of the diamonds has come to light as an exhibition of royal gems is being staged at Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee. The major display will reunite for the first time seven of the nine principal stones cut from the Cullinan Diamond.
The exhibition will be the focal point of the royal palace's 2012 summer opening and will include an unprecedented display of some of the Sovereign’s
personal jewels.
At the heart of the display are the gems from the Cullinan Diamond which was three times larger than any other diamond that had been previously
been found. Measuring 10.1 x 6.35 x 5.9cm, the diamond was notable for its extraordinary blue-white colour and exceptional purity.
View the other pieces of jewellery cut from the same stone: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...-display-Buckingham-palace.html#ixzz1uxGNCnts
