Joe Dolce: Cullinan

Cullinan

A flash of light in shaft wall.

First thought: glass. Captain Fredrick

Wells’ pocketknife released the 621 gram stone,

twice the size of any before, named after the South

African mine. Remarkable clarity, save the black spot at centre

indicating internal strain. Birthday gift from Botha to Edward VII in the

presence of the Queens of Spain and Norway. Asscher, the greatest cleaver of

the day, broke a knife chipping it into three, then seven majors, ninety-six smaller

brilliants. Cullinan I: Great Star of Africa, pear-cut, set in the head of the Scepter with the Cross. Cullinan II: Second Star of Africa, rectangular-cut, soul of the circlet of the Imperial State Crown. Cullinan III & IV: known as Lesser Stars, pear-and-cushion-cuts, for

Queen Mary’s Crown (nicknamed Granny’s Chips). Cullinan V, VI & VII:

heart-pear-and-marquis-cut brooch, crafted for the stomacher of the

 Delhi Durbar Parure, Queen Elizabeth’s favourite.

Cullinan VIII: brooch extension, never worn:

(Her Majesty claimed it got in the soup).  

Cullinan IX: better behaved, four-

carat, pear-cut, set in a platinum

ring. The complete

 array: one

billion

          £.

Joe Dolce