The Cullinan Diamond was the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered, it weighed a whopping 3,106 carats which is equivalent to one and a half pounds. It was discovered by a superintendent who thought that his co-workers were playing around by putting a large piece of glass on the top edge of the mine pit. Before picking it up, he looked around to see if anyone was waiting from him to fall for their trick, but he did not see anyone. What he picked up, turned out to be the world's largest diamond.

The Transvall Government bought the diamond, which was presented to King Edward VII on his 66th birthday. The diamond rough was insured for $1,250,000, when it was sent to I.J. Asscher's Diamond Company in Amsterdam in 1908 to be cut. A heavy steel blade shattered on the first attempt to cut the diamond. On the second attempt, the diamond fell apart... exactly as planned.

The Cullinan was cut into 9 major stones and 96 smaller brilliants. The nine larger diamonds are in either the British Crown Jewels or the personal possession of the Royal Family.