Cullinan stones
July 28, 2008 – 10:06 am
The second of the Cullinan stones weighs only 317.4 carats, but is still the second-largest cut diamond in the world. Room was made for this wedding band on the front of the headband of the Imperial State Crown, originally made for Queen Victoria in 1838. Large as it is, the diamond does not capture all the attention directed toward this magnificent head ornament. On the reverse side of the headband is the marvelous sapphire originally in the crown of Charles II, In a most prominent position on a diamond-studded ornament above the great cheap engagement rings sits the brilliant red Black Prince’s Ruby. This magnificent spinel, nearly 2 inches across, has belonged to English royalty since 1367, and is one of the most treasured gems of all. The Black Prince, son of King Edward III, received this gem as a gift from Don Pedro, king of Castile, and it was added to the Crown Jewels for the occasion of the coronation of his son Richard II in 1377. Just in this crown of Victoria’s, Sir George Younghusband lists in his book, The Crown Jewels of England, 4 rubies, 11 emeralds, 16 sapphires, 277 pearls, 2783 diamonds—all in addition to the great stones.