| Â The Centenary | | | | Â |
| Â | | | | Louis XIII are said to have bought the stone in 1643 |
| The Centenary was found on July 17th, 1986 at the | | | | after which the King presented it to Louis de Bourbon, |
| Premier Mine. Only a handful of people knew about | | | | Prince of Conde, and Commander of the French |
| it and all were sworn to silence. On March 11th, 1988, | | | | Army during the Thirty Years War. It is a light pink |
| the centenary celebrations of De Beers took place in | | | | pear-shaped diamond that weights 9.01 carats. The |
| Kimberly and a banquet was held to close the | | | | stone is currently on display in the Musee de Conde in |
| Kimberly Mine also known as the Big Hole. Over | | | | Chantilly, France. |
| 400 people were in attendance. Representatives of | | | |  Cullinan Diamond |
| several national governments of diamond-producing | | | | Â |
| countries and dignitaries from various sections of the | | | | The Cullinan 1 also called the Star of Africa, is a pear |
| industry listened as the chairman, Julian Oglivie | | | | shaped diamond weighing 530.20 carats. It is called |
| Thompson, declared; we have recovered at the | | | | the Cullian 1 because it was it was the largest of 9 |
| Premier Mine a diamond of 599 carats, which is | | | | stones cut from the Cullian Diamond. The Cullian 1 is |
| perfect in color. Indeed it is one of the largest | | | | the 2nd largest cut diamond in the world and is part of |
| top-color diamonds ever found. Naturally it will be | | | | the Crown Jewels of England. It is currently on |
| called the Centenary Diamond. | | | | display in the Tower of London. |
| This extraordinary mine has produced several | | | | The famous blue diamonds come in different shapes |
| outstanding diamonds of the most superb color, which | | | | including pear shaped and octagon shaped. The cut |
| have been cut into famous gems: The Cullinan in 1905; | | | | of these valuable gems is especially important for |
| the Niarchos in 1954; the Taylor-Burton in 1966 and the | | | | large, colored stones and the cut must enhance the |
| Premier Rose in 1978. The Premier Diamond Mine | | | | natural beauty of these wonderful gems. |
| has produced close to 300 stones weighing more than | | | | Sometimes the largest stones that are found with a |
| 100 carats each, and 25 percent of the world's | | | | blue color are studied extensively before any cutting is |
| diamonds weighing more than 400 carats each. | | | | begun. |
| Â Conde Pink Diamond | | | | |