Excelsior Diamond
The Excelsior Diamond is a gem-quality diamond, and was the largest known diamond in the world from the time of its discovery in 1893 until 1905, when the Cullinan Diamond was found. It was found on June 30, 1893, at the Jagersfontein Mine in South Africa, 130 kilometres (81 miles) south east of Kimberley whose fame as a diamond mining center always overshadowed that of Jagersfontein. It had a blue-white tint and weighed 971 old carats or 995.2 metric carats (or 194 g). The Excelsior rates as the fourth largest rough diamond of gem quality ever found. It was ultimately cut into ten stones weighing from 13 to 68 carats (2.6 to 13.6 g).
Depiction of the Excelsior in Precious Stones and Gems (1898) by Edwin W. Streeter | |
| Weight | 971+3⁄4 carats (194.35 g) rough; 13 to 68 carats (2.6 to 13.6 g) assorted cut |
|---|---|
| Color | G (near colorless) |
| Cut | assorted (ten stones total, largest is a pear shape) |
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Mine of origin | Jagersfontein Mine |
| Discovered | June 30, 1893 |
| Cut by | Asscher |
| Original owner | assorted |
| Owner | assorted |
| Estimated value | assorted, largest stone sold for $2,642,000 in 1996 |
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