Excelsior ‘too hot to handle’

The Excelsior diamond, the largest known diamond in the world at this time, is discovered at Jagersfontein Mine in the Orange Free State on June 30 1893. The 971¾-carat (995.2 metric carats) stone is a stunning white with a tint of blue; the colour is classified G (nearly colourless); it is shaped like half a loaf of bread; named Excelsior (meaning higher); and measures 6.35cmx5.08cm by 1.54cm thick. It is found by a worker in a shovelful of dirt while loading it into a truck. He hands it directly to the mine manager and receives £500 plus a horse, saddle and bridle. Sadly, the Excelsior becomes the “Great Unknown” of famous diamonds. It is shipped to Messieurs Wernher, Beit & Co in London. They try to insure it for £40,000, but have to settle for £16,250. There it is joined by the 634-carat Reitz diamond (after OFS president FW Reitz), found at Jagersfontein in 1895. On May 29 1896, two London companies accept an offer to buy the New Jagersfontein Mining and Exploration Company’s 50% share in both diamonds for £25,000. The Reitz is renamed Jubilee (in honour of Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee) in 1897 and cut into two distinguished diamonds. The Excelsior, however, is perceived to be far too large and of quality far too superior for any prospective buyer. It is sent to Amsterdam in 1903 and cut into 10 stones (the largest 69.60 metric carats). The Excelsior is displaced as the largest diamond by the Cullinan, discovered on January 26 1905.