The Cullinan diamond was found by a miner, who brought it to the surface and gave it the surface manager of the mining company. Tests proved it to be the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered. At approximately 1 1/3 pounds, 3 7/8 inches long, 2 1/4 inches wide and 2 5/8 inches high the diamond was twice the size of any previously discovered. It was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan.

The Cullinan was sold to the Transvaal Colony government, which planned to present it to King Edward VII on his 66th birthday on November 9th, 1907.

In 1905, due to its immense value, the authorities in charge of the transportation were posed with a huge security problem. Detectives from London were placed on a steamboat that was rumored to carry the stone, where a parcel was placed in the captain's safe and guarded throughout the journey. However, this was a diversionary tactic. The package was a fake, meant to attract those who would be interested in stealing it. The actual diamond was sent to England in a plain box via parcel post.

The King entrusted the cutting of the stone to the famous Asscher's Diamond Co. in Amsterdam. The huge diamond was studied inside out for months. Mr. Asscher placed the steel cleaver's blade in a previously prepared V-shaped groove and tapped it once with a heavy steel rod. The blade broke, but the diamond remained intact! The second time, it fell apart exactly as planned, and an employee at the factory reported that Mr. Asscher had fainted.

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