There have been several diamonds throughout history both real and created by writers that have captured our imaginations. The tales surrounding these diamonds have indeed made some of them infamous.
In the first decades of the current era, Pliny the Elder, a Greek historian, wrote of an infamous stone not yet called a diamond that would resist smashing and heating. In those days the stone was already coveted. It was described as being kept for royalty and associated with a variety of specials powers in the pagan tradition. It was likened to quartz but recognized not to be such and once that story began to circulate the quest for diamonds was begun in earnest.
The Crown Jewels
The coined term crown jewels refers to the jewels worn or displayed before the current sovereign King or Queen of England during the ceremony for their coronation. This coronation makes them the ruler of the British Empire. Throughout history the diamonds that make up a large portion of the crown jewels have always been in the public eye.
The Mountain of Light
In the early 1300’s what was then known as the world’s largest diamond weighed in at 105 carats today. Before being cut to increase brilliance it weighed over 185 carats. This gem has many “names” but they are all translations meaning the mountain of light. Originally found in India it was battled over extensively by warring armies during invasions. Eventually it wound up in the hands of the British monarchy and they still own it to this day. It became part of the British Crown Jewels in 1877 when the Prime Minister declared the Queen of England the Empress of India.
The legends that surround this jewel are most likely quite a comfort to the current Queen of England as it is rumored that whoever owns the stone rules the world. However this good luck only holds true for female owners and rulers. Superstitious lore says that it brings any male owner tragic fortune. So Prince Charles may want to consider parting with it. This is highly unlikely since this is the stone his grandmother the Queen Mother wore in her crown. In fact as she laid on display at her public viewing after her death the crown and the jewel which is the center stone was on display. The British royal family have had control and ownership of this diamond for 2 and a half centuries and aren’t likely to ever part with it.
The Cullinan Diamond
The largest diamond ever found on earth is called the Cullinan named after the village it was found in. The village was named after a British man. His name was Sir Thomas Cullinan. The diamond was found in 1905 and two of the stones cut out of it are found in the crown jewels. Mining has been sporadic and unsuccessful for the past century at this location. It is though the luck of the region left with the diamond.
The Stars of Africa
A diamond weighing 530 carats known as the Star of Africa is set in the royal scepter. And the 317 carat diamond called the Lesser Star of Africa has been set into the Imperial State Crown. These two diamonds are among the most famous of the crown jewels.
The crown jewels consist of over 2500 of the best diamonds in the world. They have been kept in the Tower of London for five centuries after they were stolen in the early 1300’s. After they were recovered they were removed from their previous home at Westminster Abby because they were deemed safer and more defendable in the tower.
Rumor has it that all of the crown jewels were shipped secretly overseas to Canada during WW II to protect them from the incessant bombings of the Germans. That rumor has been contradicted by the rumor that they were kept at Windsor Castle during these turbulent times. At any rate the jewels, like the monarchy survived that deadly era in history.
It is a famous misconception that the crown jewels date back to antiquity. Indeed there are less than a handful of them that can be traced beyond the mid 1600’s. Oliver Cromwell melted down and destroyed the original crown jewels during the mid 1640’s as he attempted to end the monarchial reign of the royal family. He nearly succeeded in his position as Lord Protector and for two decades until his death and the failure of his son to retain the power he gained, he had successfully ruled the empire which he called the Commonwealth.
Prior to that great loss of the crown jewels in the early 1200’s they were lost by the King and not replaced completely until the end of that century. So hopefully for the royal family the old adage that you often hear that the “third time is the charm” will hold true and they will be able to hold onto the crown jewels.