Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, this would imply that some girls have very, very expensive friends.
The pieces of gems are soo ridiculously expensive, that it becomes a wonder where they may have come from.
The history of such valuables can also be very fascinating. Below are 5 of the most precious stones to be mined from Africa, and their history;
The Cullinan ($2 billion): This is the world’s largest diamond at 3,106.75 carats, excavated from the Cullinan mines of South Africa. The Gem was named after its initial owner Thomas Cullinan. The diamond was purchased by the then Prime Minister of Transvaal (modern-day South Africa), who in turn presented it to the King of England, King Edward VII in 1905.
The diamond is currently owned by Charles III, who had it passed down to him from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The raw diamond was cut into nine major stones, the biggest of which is the 530.2ct Cullinan I, popularly referred to as the Star of Africa. The Star of Africa now adorns the royal scepter of the British Crown. The second largest piece the Cullinan 2 also adorns another British treasure, the Imperial State Crown.
The Cullinan III to IX were acquired by the South African government and was presented to Queen Mary (l. 1876-1953), the consort of George V in 1910 to commemorate the formation of the Union of South Africa.
Centenary Diamond ($90-$100 million):Â This precious stone was discovered in the Premier Mine of South Africa, using their X-ray imaging system. The diamond was discovered on the 17th of July 1986. In May of 1988, the diamond was presented in the Centennial Celebration of the De Beers Consolidated Mines.
It was insured for $100 million in 1991. It weighs 273.85-carats, third in size only to the Cullinan I and II.
The diamond’s current whereabouts or owners are currently unknown, although some believe it is still with De beers, while others believe it was sold. The gem was also rumored to have been sold to an 18-year-old entrepreneur of British/Israeli origin, living in the United States, in June 2008. However, De Beers has refused to disclose any information