MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
AuctionsApr 24, 2019
Document Outlining Cutting of Cullinan Headed to Auction
Estimated to sell for between $2,600 and $3,900, the lot also includes a paste replica of the rough diamond and its resulting cut stones.
At Bonhams’ London Jewels sale at the end of the month, the auction house will sell the original document outlining the agreement between the secretaries of King Edward VII and London diamond brokers M.J Levy & Nephews on the cutting and handling of the Cullinan diamond.
London—A history buff could soon be the owner of the original document outlining the cutting and cleaving of the historic Cullinan diamond.
At Bonhams’ London Jewels sale scheduled for April 30, the auction house will put on the block the historic document that facilitated the cutting of the world’s largest rough diamond.
Dated Jan. 29, 1908, the original manuscript is for the ‘Agreement for the Inspection of the Cullinan Diamond’ between the representatives of King Edward VII and London diamond brokers M.J Levy & Nephews.
This document brokered the handling and cutting of the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond—which remains the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered—by the renowned Asscher Company to create the nine principal Cullinan Diamonds, Bonhams said.
It appointed M.J Levy and Nephews as “inspectors” of the Cullinan and outlines the parameters and guidelines of how it had to be handled, as well as the duties of each party.
The auction lot includes the original documents as well as a paste replica of the Cullinan as it appeared in its rough form and two replica sets of the nine principal diamonds cut from the stone.
The lot is estimated to sell for between $2,600 and $3,900.
The Cullinan rough diamond was discovered near Pretoria, South Africa, in 1905. So large it was believed to be a piece of rock crystal instead of a diamond, the rough was named after Thomas Cullinan, chairman of the mine where it was found.
The stone initially failed to find a buyer and was eventually sold for £150,000 to the South African Transvaal Colony government in 1907, which then presented it to King Edward VII on his 66th birthday in November of that year as a symbol of South Africa’s loyalty to the Crown, Bonhams said.
After the king received the stone, he was advised by his private secretaries to consult London diamond brokers Messrs M.J. Levy & Nephews about the cutting of the rough given the complexity and risk of the task.
Arthur and Alexander Levy then brokered it to be cut and polished with Asscher in Amsterdam, which had just cut the 995.2-carat Excelsior Diamond in 1903.
Since it wasn’t possible to shape and polish the stone without splitting it, the responsibility fell to Joseph Asscher, the house’s most skilled cleaver, to do the task.
After studying it at length, Asscher created a 6.5-mm deep incision in the diamond over several days. Then, in February 1908, his first attempt to cleave it ended when the blade on his tool broke as soon as he struck the stone.
After making stronger tools, he tried again the following week, successfully cleaving the Cullinan rough into two parts—one weighing 1,977 carats and the other 1,040 carats.
These stones were further polished and cut in the months following to create nine main stones, 96 smaller diamonds, and several polished “ends.”
Those nine principal diamonds, named Cullinan I through Cullinan IX, now form part of the collection of the Crown Jewels and the collection of Her Majesty The Queen.
Cullinan I remains the largest polished white diamond in the world, weighing 530.20 carats. It sits on top of the Sovereign’s Sceptre.
The Cullinan II, weighing 317.40 carats, is set at the front of the Imperial State Crown, currently located in the Tower of London.
Bonhams said the agreement documents and paste replicas of the stones were handed down through the business and subsequent owners of M.J. Levy & Nephews.
The auction house said this is the first time they are being offered for sale on the open market.
Details and information on the lot can be found at Bonhams.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
