CROWN JEWELS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 295, 10 November 1934, Page 11

CROWN JEWELS.

STORY OF CULLINAN DIAMOND. Mr A. J. Roche, in an address to the Millions Club at Sydney, told a fascinating story of the Crown jewels of England, including the Cullinan diamond in the King’s Imperial State crown. Mr Roche said that this crown was the most beautiful and exclusive in the world. The Cullinan diamond was found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed ljlb., and was valued at £1,500,000. In 1907 it was out, and 316 carats fitted into the crown, and 516 J carats into the sceptre of faith. When it was found, the authorities could tell at a glance that it was only half a diamond. The search for the second half continued for 14 years, and the very day it was found it was unfortunately destroyed. The men were using a rock-crushing machine, and just as they caught sight of the diamond, before the signal to stop the machine could be given, the crusher caught hold of the diamond and reduced it to fragments so small that they could not even be used for brilliants. If that second half could have been saved, the total weight of the diamond would have been 31b., and its value about £3,000,000. Dealing with the'various jewels which are in the Tower of London, Mr Roche said that Great Britain had passed through troublous times with flying colours. The secret of her strength was simply her high ideals, of. which thev obtained a clear conception by studying the symbolism of the Royal jewels. ____________