In 1986 a large diamond was found in the Premier Mine of South Africa. The diamond yielded 599 carats and was presented to the De Beers company in honour of its 100th anniversary. It was found using x-ray imaging.
The Centenary diamond was cut by Gabi Tolkowsky, great nephew of Marcel Tolkowsky (the creator of the modern brilliant cut). He worked with two other diamond cutters to create the diamond we know today.
When presented, The Centenary diamond weighed 273.85 carats and had 164 facets on the diamond itself and 83 on the girdle. It was cut in a heart-shape and was colourless.
It is the largest modern cut diamond in the world.
According to Gabi Tolkowsky, the Centenary was the ultimate expression of fire and brilliance.
"You usually have to look into a diamond to appreciate its colour, but this just expressed itself from the surface. This is very rare."
