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, 130 kilometres (81 miles) 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. It was ultimately cut into ten stones weighing from 13 to 68 carats (2.6 to 13.6 g).
Excelsior diamond (blue-white 995 carats) then world's largest, discovered in Jagersfontein Mine, South Africa
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.
Historical Significance
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.
Events Before
Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12
Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12 million people
Manuel Roxas is born
Manuel Roxas is born
Painter Paul Gauguin marries Teha'amana, a 13-year-old Tahitian girl
Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin was a French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer, whose work has been primarily associated with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements.
The rules of basketball are first published in Triangle magazine, written by James Naismith
The rules of basketball are first published in Triangle magazine, written by James Naismith
The Coca-Cola Company is incorporated in Atlanta, Georgia
The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational corporation founded in 1892 headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Events After
Denmark adopts Central European Time
Central European Time (CET) is a standard time observed in Central as well as parts of Western and Southeast Europe, which is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
William Kennedy Dickson captures "Fred Ott's Sneeze" as a motion picture at Thomas Edison's Black Maria Studio in West O
William Kennedy Dickson captures "Fred Ott's Sneeze" as a motion picture at Thomas Edison's Black Maria Studio in West Orange, New Jersey [1]
1st college basketball game, University of Chicago beats Chicago YMCA 19-11
1st college basketball game, University of Chicago beats Chicago YMCA 19-11
J. L. Johnstone of England invents the starting gate for horse racing
J. L. Johnstone of England invents the starting gate for horse racing
Jules Massenet's opera "Thaïs" premieres in Paris, includes piece “Méditation” for violin and orchestra
"Méditation" (pronounced [meditasjɔ̃]) is a symphonic intermezzo from the opera Thaïs by French composer Jules Massenet. The piece is written for solo violin, orchestra and backstage chorus.
More from the 1890s
Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget
Physicist J. J. Thomson (33) weds Rose Elisabeth Paget
Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12
Ellis Island opens as a US immigration inspection station and becomes the gateway to the United States for more than 12 million people
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen announces his discovery of X-rays
Eritrea is consolidated into a colony by the Italian government
Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. Its capital and largest city is Asmara.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on June 30, 1893?
- 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, 130 kilometres (81 miles) 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).
- Why is Excelsior diamond (blue-white 995 carats) then world's largest, discovered in... significant?
- 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.