The mysticism surrounding the British royal family generates many controversial stories, one of which is Queen Elizabeth II. It reappeared after Elizabeth’s death. A Twitter profile dedicated to Africa’s historical and cultural records recalled the fact that the monarch has some of the world’s largest cut diamonds in a crown and a centerpiece – including the leader of this ranking.
However, the jewels are controversially veiled as the British, with their colonial rule, were accused of stealing the diamond from Africa in the 20th century – there is no official evidence of this.
The diamond was known as “Africa’s Great Star,” but was renamed in honor of Thomas Cullinan, the head of the mine where it was mined.
In the tweet, “Queen Elizabeth II had the world’s largest cut diamond known as ‘Africa’s Big Star’.
“The 530-carat gemstone was mined in South Africa in 1905. Stolen from South Africa. Estimated value of US$400 million (R$2 billion),” the profile accuses.
Cullinan Diamond
On January 26, 1905, a 3,106-carat diamond was discovered at the Premier Mine in the Transvaal province of South Africa. According to the author’s biography of the diamond magnate, Cullinan was named in honor of Thomas Cullinan, the head of the mine, who was born in South Africa. nigel helmet.
From there, the original diamond was purchased by the African government at the time and sold to then-British King Edward 7 in 1907, according to the website brittanica.com. It was made for 150 thousand liras.
The hitherto rough diamond was cut and polished by a specialized company in Amsterdam in 1908. The stone broke into nine large pieces and about 100 smaller pieces. All of them are part of British royal jewels to this day.
Elizabeth enters the story by taking the largest of these nine pieces. The “Great African Star” illuminates the Royal Scepter of British Sovereignty. Also known as the “Little Star of Africa” or “Cullinan 2”, the second largest cut piece of the original diamond is embedded in the Imperial Crown.
Britain’s journey of jewellery
The story of how a diamond over 3,000 carats got to England is fuzzy as there are so few records. According to the Associated Press, there is a myth that it is only sent by mail.
“I know Royal Mail was very reliable back then,” said Shirley Bury, who helps catalog the jewels, “but I have my doubts about that.”
A more accepted story is that he was abducted by ship. Worried that the diamond might be stolen on its way from Africa to London, Edward 7 set the stage for a fake diamond to be sent to a ferry guarded by dozens of guards. As the bait slowly made its way to England, the real “Cullinan” was also on board this ship, but hidden in a communal box.
And the theft charge?
Records available today indicate that the diamonds set in the main jewels of the British monarchy were actually found in South Africa, but were not looted but purchased by the royals.
source: Noticias
