Accidentally discovered in South Africa's Premier diamond mine on January 26, 1905, the Cullinan was enormous. At 3,106 carats in the rough, it is the largest diamond ever discovered in human history. It was named after the mine's owner, Sir Thomas Cullinan.

The massive stone was presented to the reigning British monarch, King Edward VII, on his 66^th birthday by the Transvaal government. In order to get the stone safely to England, a decoy was sent by ship; the original was mailed in plain box.

The cutting of the Cullinan, which yielded nine large pieces and around 100 smaller ones, began in February 1908.

The largest, a huge 530.20 carat stone cut in the shape of a pear, was mounted at the head of England's royal sceptre. It can be removed and worn as a pin or a pendant.

The Cullinan I, which is also known as the Greater Star of Africa, was the largest faceted diamond in the world for 80 years, until the Golden Jubilee was discovered in 1985. It still continues to be the largest faceted, pear-shaped diamond in the world.

Information courtesy: Internetstones.com