Really Nice Vacations

I might have to go Africa. When my finance colleague heard it, she literally glared at me and growled, “Lucky You”. I was totally clueless until someone nudged me to look at her fingers. OK, there’s lots of diamond rings but so what? Then it dawned on me that one can get big flawless diamonds in Africa at a fraction of the cost compared to those swanky jewelers in the fashionable districts.

A search on the web widen my knowledge on African diamonds.

The world’s largest diamond was the Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats uncut. The Cullinan was cut into (1) the Great Star of Africa, weighing 530.2 carats, (2) the Lesser Star of Africa, which weighs 317.40 carats, and (3) 104 other diamonds of nearly flawless colour and clarity. They now form part of the British crown jewels. Next time I must look closer at Queen E’s crown. Maybe I’m in luck to look at the real things.

The Cullinan was three times the size of the next largest diamond, the Excelsior, which was also found in South Africa.

The world’s largest documented polished diamond - unearthed in 1986, also in South Africa - is called Unnamed Brown. It weighs 545 carats and was cut down from a 700 carat rough diamond. It took an international team of expert cutters 3 years to complete the masterpiece.

Another impressive diamond that also took 3 years to cut, and also is part of the British crown jewels, is the Centenary Diamond. It weighs 273.85 carats and is the world’s largest flawless diamond.

No wonder de Beer said “Diamonds are Forever” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” was coined in the original Broadway production of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”.

OK, if I do get to Africa, I must look for a big shining rock for my sister’s finger. Until I showed enough appreciation, she is going to remind me consistently how she had saved my house from the water, and probably saved my skin from the neighbors’ claws.

Stumble it!