The Excelsior Diamond is a gem-quality diamond, and was the largest known diamond in the world from the time of its discovery in 1893 until 1905, when the Cullinan Diamond was found. It was found on June 30, 1893, at the Jagersfontein Mine in South Africa, south east of Kimberley whose fame as a diamond mining center always overshadowed that of Jagersfontein. It had a blue-white tint and weighed 971 old carats or 995.2 metric carats (or 194 g). The Excelsior rates as the fourth largest rough diamond of gem quality ever found.
External links
- Excelsior diamond discussion in "Great Diamonds of the Earth" by Edwin W. Streeter.
- W.R. Catelle's "The Diamond" for further reading on the Excelsior Diamond
- Precious Stones and Gems by Edwin W. Streeter