Star of Africa

Cullinan I or the Star of Africa diamond is the largest cut diamond in the world. Pear shaped, with 74 facets and is set in the Royal Scepter (kept with the other Crown Jewels in the Tower of London). It was cut from the 3,106 carat Cullian, the largest diamond crystal ever found.It was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and cut by Joseph Asscher who examined the enormous crystal for around six months before determining how to divide it. It finally yielded nine major and 96 smaller brilliant cut stones.