World Famous Diamonds 3

The Centenary

The Centenary was found on July 17th, 1986 at the Premier Mine. Only a handful of people knew about it and all were sworn to silence. On March 11th, 1988, the centenary celebrations of De Beers took place in Kimberly and a banquet was held to close the Kimberly Mine also known as the Big Hole. Over 400 people were in attendance. Representatives of several national governments of diamond-producing countries and dignitaries from various sections of the industry listened as the chairman, Julian Oglivie Thompson, declared; we have recovered at the Premier Mine a diamond of 599 carats, which is perfect in color. Indeed it is one of the largest top-color diamonds ever found. Naturally it will be called the Centenary Diamond.

This extraordinary mine has produced several outstanding diamonds of the most superb color, which have been cut into famous gems: The Cullinan in 1905; the Niarchos in 1954; the Taylor-Burton in 1966 and the Premier Rose in 1978. The Premier Diamond Mine has produced close to 300 stones weighing more than 100 carats each, and 25 percent of the world's diamonds weighing more than 400 carats each.... Famous Diamonds continue ...