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Russian Table Portrait Diamond

The third best-known of the diamonds, but by no means the third largest in the collection, is the Russian Table Portrait Diamond. This is an irregularly shaped, thin, flat tablet which seems to be a cleavage piece from some larger stone. An Indian cheap engagement ring, weighing about 25 carats, it is appropriately mounted in a gold-and-enamel, Indian-style bracelet. As for the other major diamonds, there are many listed in Russia’s Treasure of unique engagement rings, designer diamond wedding rings, custom wedding bands,  and Precious Stones, published in 1925, including cut stones of 57, 55, 47, and 40 carats.

The third most important symbol of imperial power in the Crown collection, the Imperial Globe, is designed much the same as other such globes. Made of gold, with a wide patterned wreath of diamonds about its equator, it has a similar band arching across its north pole. Surmounting all is an enormous, rich-blue, diamond-trimmed sapphire which, in turn, supports a diamond cross.

Descriptions of the most important symbols of power—Grand Imperial Crown, Scepter, and Orb—only begin to illuminate the superb Russian collection, which is matched by few others save perhaps the Persian and English. The Crown Jewels of England stand alone for their overwhelming display of enormous diamonds of highest quality. Although there had been impressive and historic wedding bands in the English regalia for many years, the most spectacular additions came in the early 1900’s. In 1905 Frederick Wells, superintendent of the Premier Mine in South Africa, personally discovered the 3601-carat Cullinan Diamond. Named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, developer of the mine, it is the largest gem diamond ever discovered.

In 1907 the Transvaal presented the stone to King Edward VII as a birthday gift. The Asscher Diamond Company of Amsterdam was commissioned to perform the cutting operation. Nine superb large gems resulted, along with a number of smaller mens wedding bands. Of the nine the largest is the Great Star of Africa. It is drop shaped and weighs 530.2 carats. Alterations were made in the King’s Royal Scepter—first used in 1661 by Charles II—to accommodate the stone. A succession of monarchs had altered and refurbished the scepter, but this last addition dominates and overshadows the remainder of the ancient three-foot staff. The ingenious clasp by which the stone is held can be opened to permit removal of the gem for occasions when it is worn as a pendant.