Demystifying the past and present of the largest top color diamond "The Diamond of the Century"

On March 11, 1988, Kimberly-Club Chairman Julian Oglivie Thompson announced that "we have already harvested a 599-carat diamond in the Premiere Mine. He is by far the largest top-grade diamond. He will be named "World" Ji Zhi Drill."

"The Diamond of the Century"

Over the years, the legendary Plymers diamond mine has produced nearly 300 world-class gorgeous diamonds over 100 carats: "Cullinan" in 1905, "replaced" in 1954, and "Taylor in 1966" Bolton", the "Prime Minister" of 1978.

Cullinan 2

On July 17, 1986, the huge diamond was discovered in the X-ray beneficiation system of the Premiere mine. A very small number of insiders were required to be kept strictly confidential until the 1988 Centennial celebration was made public.

There is no better way to celebrate De Beers' 100 years than finding such a diamond. De Beers was cautious about his processing. After repeated selections, the "Challenge Challenge Mission" was handed over to the diamond cutting master GabrielS. Tolkowsky.

For the first year, Mr. Gabi has been preparing for work. To remove the prominent "sharp corners" and the cracks that extend into such large diamonds, the vibration and frictional heat generated during cutting are the most dangerous factors. Mr. Gaby must develop a new machine to ensure foolproof (later, these The new machines have become patents owned by De Beers.)

De Beers also provided a special basement for Gabi in the Diamond Research Office in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is a special secret room, everything in the room is firmly fixed to the ground or wall, any vibration The snoring to avoid or even move objects can affect the cutter's judgment of the degree of cutting.

Throughout the year, Mr. Gabi was in opposition to the century diamonds, and every detail and every crack was printed in his mind. "I looked at the diamond during the day, and the diamond looked at me at night, I became another person, a strange person."

Finally, Mr. Gabi and the other two famous diamond cutters formed a team, even the electrician and security guards were carefully selected. The cutting work of “Drill of the Century” officially began, giving up laser cutting and sawing. Mr. Gabi used a slow but safe ancient hand-cutting method. After spending 154 days, the Century Diamond successfully reduced weight to 520 carats. At this time, the century drill was like an egg and it has become a perfect rough. Mr. Gabi received a phased victory.

How can you show unparalleled flicker and fire?

Unfolding measurement and mapping work, Gabi made nearly 300 models with transparent resin to simulate the grinding effect of the century diamonds (Mr. Gaby also used two large brown diamonds to cut into a model of the century diamonds, these two) The Century Model was sold a few years later through the Sotheby's (microblogging) auction company's auction in Geneva). After repeated selections over and over again, Mr. Gabi submitted 13 different finished models to the De Beers board. Among the 13 cutting programs, Mr. Gabi strongly recommended his most satisfying design. He was like a water drop but was shorter, more like a heart-shaped cut without a gap.

The De Beers Board of Directors finally adopted Mr. Gabi's suggestion that the grinding process of the Century Drill began in March 1990.

The cutting work was basically completed in January 1991. Mr. Gabi presented us with a D-color grade, 39.90×50.50×24.55mm, weighing 273.85 carats. He has a total of 247 facets, 75 in the crown, 89 in the pavilion, and 83 in the waist, the largest fancy diamond in the world at the time. In addition, using the diamonds separated during the initial shaping, two perfect drop-shaped diamonds weighing 1.47 and 1.14 carats, respectively, were cut.

In May 1991, the “Drill of the Century” was exhibited to the world for the first time at the Tower of the Treasures in London. Princess Diana personally unveiled him. When Princess Diana took up the “Drill of the Century” for a close look, the bright spot and fire The color also flashed on Wang Hao's skin.

After years of exhibition at the Tower of London, the Century Diamond was collected by anonymous buyers.

“Who can price such a stone?” The question that Nicholas Oppenheimer, the deputy chairman of De Beers, was proud of at the first exhibition, seems to have given a satisfactory answer.

Wool Scarf

Wool Scarf,Woolen Muffler,Wool Scarf Women,Oversized Wool Scarf

Inner Mongolia Jinshitaihua Cashmere Accessories Co.,Ltd , https://www.nmgshineland.com