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March 26, 2017

The Cullinan Diamond:

aacutculling.jpg
The nine largest stones after the rough Cullinan diamond was split

The largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found was cut into many pieces and dispersed, but all are now in possession of Queen Elizabeth II
The Great Star of Africa diamond is mounted on the Sovereign’s Scepter with Cross, and the Second Star of Africa, cut from the same rough diamond, is mounted on the Imperial State Crown. Both of these diamonds are part of the British Crown Jewels. Seven more major diamonds and ninety-six minor stones were also cut from the original rough diamond. All are owned by Queen Elizabeth II, who inherited them from her grandmother, Queen Mary.

Posted by gerardvanderleun at March 26, 2017 9:55 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.

Your Say

From this interesting article:

A vote was conducted by the Transvaal Colony Government, which had purchased the diamond for 150,000 pounds, as to whether or not to give it to King Edward VII. After being persuaded, the King accepted the extravagant gift.

TVG: "Yo, Eddie! Wanna really big diamond?"

King: "No, really, I couldn't..."

TVG: "OK then..." (Starts to leave.)

King: "Dang, you're one helluva salesman! I'll take it!"

Or something like that...

Posted by: Smokey at March 26, 2017 10:12 AM

And then the King said....Mummy will cherish this, I shall give it to mummy. And so, he did.

Posted by: Jack at March 27, 2017 8:06 AM

And alone in the UK, she didn't have to pay a penny in inheritance tax:
40 percent on anything over 325k .

http://www.which.co.uk/money/tax/inheritance-tax/guides/inheritance-tax-thresholds-rates-and-who-pays

Posted by: Bill Jones at March 27, 2017 1:06 PM

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