Saturday Sparkle: The Cullinan V

Queen Mary's Brooch
The Cullinan V
The Royal Collection

At 3016.75 carats, the Cullinan Diamond was the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever mined. In cutting and polishing the stone, nine numbered diamonds were fashioned. This is the Cullinan V.


Centered in a setting of platinum and diamonds by famed jeweler, Garrards, the Cullinan V weighs a whopping 18.8 carats. The diamond is detachable for independent use. The Cullinan V was a gift from the government of South Africa to Queen Mary in 1910. Queen Mary wore the diamond often, and, in fact, during the 1937 coronation wore this stone in her coronet since the Koh-I-Noor diamond had been removed for use in Queen Elizabeth’s (later known as the “Queen Mother”) crown.

Frankly, all I can say in addition is, “Humina, humina, humina.” It’s just too magnificent.