26 January

On 26 January 1905, the world’s largest known gem quality diamond, the Cullinan Diamond, was discovered at the Premier Mine in South Africa. The find immediately transformed the economic standing of the mine and its surrounding land, elevating the area to exceptional geological and commercial importance. Weighing 3,106 carats, the Cullinan Diamond remains the largest gem quality diamond ever recorded.

In 1907, the government of Transvaal formally presented the diamond to King Edward VII as an official state gift. This presentation was duly recorded in British royal and colonial administrative records and was legally recognised as a sovereign and ceremonial offering to the Crown.

In 1908, the Cullinan Diamond was cut into a series of royal stones, resulting in nine principal diamonds and ninety six smaller stones. Among these, Cullinan I is the most notable. It is the largest cut diamond in the world and is mounted in the Sovereign’s Sceptre. Cullinan II was incorporated into the Imperial State Crown, where it remains permanently set.

The diamonds visible in official images from the coronation of King Charles III and subsequent state occasions are prominent components of the original Cullinan Diamond and form part of the Crown Jewels preserved at the Tower of London. The crown shown on the left is the Imperial State Crown, bearing Cullinan II at its front. This stone represents the second largest cut portion of the original diamond and is worn by the monarch during the State Opening of Parliament and other formal ceremonies.The royal sceptre shown on the right is the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross. Set within it is Cullinan I, also known as the Great Star of Africa. As the largest cut gem quality diamond in the world, it is presented to the monarch during the coronation ceremony and stands as a symbol of sovereign authority and state power. (Syed Shayan, Archive Head)

The Premier Mine was located on a Kimberlite pipe. Kimberlite is a deep sourced volcanic rock formed at great depths within the Earth and brought to the surface through ancient volcanic activity. Such formations are known for transporting diamonds and other valuable minerals from the mantle to near surface levels. Kimberlite pipes are extremely old geological structures and occur only in limited regions worldwide. Land containing these formations consequently holds a significantly higher intrinsic and speculative value than ordinary land.

In Pakistan, geological evidence of Kimberlite or Kimberlite like formations has been reported in parts of Balochistan including Kharan, Chagai, and Nushki, as well as in sections of the Chitral and Kohistan belts in northern Pakistan. To date, however, no diamond bearing Kimberlite has been confirmed at a commercially viable scale in these regions. Geological assessments acknowledge substantial mineral potential, yet the volume and quality of diamonds necessary to establish these areas as high value mineral real estate have not been demonstrated.