The coronation of King Charles III has rekindled calls for Britain to return to South Africa the world’s largest diamond; the centerpiece of the royal scepter.
The 530-carat ‘Star of Africa’ diamond was first mined in 1905, during South Africa’s British rule.
The priceless gem was then donated to King Edward VII for his 66th birthday two years later by the colonial government in South Africa.
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This rare diamond was cut from the 3,126-carat Cullinan Diamond, the biggest diamond ever mined, weighing 621 grams in its raw state.
It was cut into two major stones, seven gems and several off-pieces much later in Amsterdam.
Many were set in the crown jewels; the second-largest stone adorns the front of the Imperial State Crown and the rest were shared amongst members of the Royal family.
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Since the end of apartheid there have been repeated calls for these gems to be returned.
These calls for repatriation has grown louder around monumental events such as during Queen Elizabeth II’s first visit to South Africa in 1995 and subsequently her demise and King Charles III’s coronation.
