Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, there are now calls for the monarchy to release several diamonds currently housed in the British crown jewels.
The Kohinoor diamond, also known as the Koh-I-Noor, Great Star of Africa, and Second Star of Africa diamonds, is widely regarded as a symbol of imperialist history.
The 105-carat Kohinoor diamond is one of the world’s largest cut diamonds and was discovered thousands of years ago in India. The diamond’s monetary value is unknown, but it is impressive in both size and sparkle.
Despite the diamond’s complicated and mysterious history — and the many owners who claim ownership of it in India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan — it now adorns a crown designed for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother to wear during her coronation as queen consort in 1937.
Queen Victoria had previously worn the diamond as a brooch, and it was also included in the crowns of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary.
The Kohinoor diamond is on display at the Tower of London, still set in Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s crown. According to reports, Camilla, the Queen Consort, will wear the crown at King Charles’ coronation, but this has yet to be confirmed.
The Indian Culture Ministry called in 2016 for “all possible efforts” to be made to return the Kohinoor diamond to India. The Crown has never declared or expressed a desire to return the diamond or any of its crown jewels.
Many people are now calling for the Kohinoor diamond to be removed from the crown jewels and returned to India on social media.
The Cullinan diamond was used to cut both the Great Star of Africa and the Second Star of Africa diamonds.
It was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and named after mine owner Thomas Cullinan. It is the world’s largest gem-quality uncut diamond.
The Cullinan diamond was given to King Edward VII in 1907, two years after it was discovered in South Africa’s old Transvaal province.
The Great Star of Africa is the world’s largest clear-cut diamond and the largest diamond cut from the Cullinan diamond.
The over-530-carat drop-shaped diamond is set in the Sovereign’s Scepter with Cross, which is also on display in the Tower of London’s Jewel House.
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