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→Principal diamonds cut from the Cullinan: Convert table to text and expand article information on the individual diamonds
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The Cullinan was split and cut into 7 major stones and 96 smaller stones. Edward VII had the Cullinan I and Cullinan II set respectively into the [[Sceptre with the Cross]] and the [[Imperial State Crown]], while the remainder of the seven larger stones and the 96 smaller brilliants remained in the possession of the Dutch diamond cutting firm of Messers I. J. Asscher of Amsterdam who had split and cut the Cullinan, until the South African Government bought these stones<ref>With the exception of the Cullinan VI which Edward VII bought and gave to Queen Alexandra in1907 and who on his death gave it to Queen Mary</ref> and the High Commissioner of the Union of South Africa presented them to Queen Mary on 28 June 1910.<ref>’’The Queen's Jewels. The Personal Collection of Elizabeth II.’’ Leslie Field. Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, @ 1987. Times Mirror Books. INBN 0-8109-1525-1. p. 72.</ref>
The Cullinan I is a 530.2 carat, pear cut diamond and the largest of the Cullinan diamonds. It is also known as the Great Star of Africa, and was set in the head of the [[Sceptre with the cross]] which was reworked for this purpose. It may also be hung as the pendant, on its own or from the Cullinan II in a brooch. For this purpose the diamonds have both been fitted with two tiny platinum loops on the edges.
The Cullinan III is a pear cut, 94.4 carat diamond known as one of the Lesser Stars of Africa (along with the Cullinan IV). [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]], the queen consort of [[George V]] had the Cullinan III set in the surmounting cross of her [[Crown of Queen Mary|newly acquired crown]] for her coronation in 1911. By In 1914, however they were replaced by crystal models. After that, Queen Mary mainly wore the crown as a circlet, meaning the Cullinan III was not needed. Since Queen Mary's death on March 24, 1953 her consort crown has remained unworn and it is thus unknown if the Cullinan III will ever be used again to surmount the Crown of Queen Mary. Presently the Cullinan III is most frequently worn as a brooch, in combination with the Cullinan IV.
The Cullinan IV or is square cushion cut and weighs 63.6 carats. It was also set in the Crown of Queen Mary originally, as part of the circlet, however it too was removed in 1914. Since then it was been worn as a brooch along with the Cullinan III. Collectively the two diamonds are affectionately known as 'Granny's Chips', by Queen Eliazebth II. This was revealed by Queen Elizabeth II on 25th of March 1958, while she and Prince Philip were on a state visit to the Netherlands. As part of their tour of the country, the couple visited the Asscher diamond works, where the diamond had been cut fifty years earlier. The occaision marked the first time the Queen had publicly worn the brooch. During the event, the Queen unpinned the brooch and offered it for examination by Louis Asscher, the brother of **. Elderly and almost blind, Asscher was deeply moved by the fact the Queen had brought the diamonds along with her, knowing how much the gesture would mean to him, seeing the diamonds after so many years. The Queen has worn the brooch no more than six or seven times in public during her reign.
===Cullinan VI===
===Cullinan VII===
===Cullinan VIII===
▲|Set in the front of the circlet of the [[Imperial State Crown]]. It may also be used together with the Cullinan I as a brooch.
===Cullinan IX===
The Cullinan IX is the final large diamond to be obtained for the Cullinan. It is pear cut and weighs 4.4 carats. It is set as the bezel in a ring, known as the Cullinan IX Ring.
▲|Cullinan V
▲|Set in the center of a brooch forming a part of the stomacher of the diamond and emerald Delhi Durbar Parure.
▲| Cullinan VI
▲|Originally given by Edward VII to Queen Alexandra. After his death she gave this stone to Queen Mary who had it set as a pendant hanging from the diamond and emerald necklace in the Delhi Durbar Parure.
▲|Cullinan VII
▲|It hangs from the brooch containing the Cullinan VIII and forming as part of the stomacher of the Delhi Durbar Parure.
▲|Cullinan VIII
▲|Set in the center of a brooch forming part of the stomacher of the Delhi Durbar Parure.
▲|Cullinan IX
== See also ==
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