Throughout the world, there are numerous rock and minerals that are named after locations. This can be seen when encountering the Star of Africa, as well as the Mexican diamond, which isn’t really a diamond at all. In this article, you will also encounter the likes of the London blue topaz, as well as the Nepal diamond, which really is a diamond.
The Star of Africa is one of the largest diamonds to ever be found. Also known as the Cullinan diamond, in its roughest form, the specimen weighed about 3,100 carets, which amounts to a little over 1 pound. It was 1905, in the mines of South Africa, that this majestic gem was discovered. At the time, this huge find was named after the chairman of the company, which guided the activities of the mine. In 1907, the diamond traded hands. It was given to King Edward VII of England as a birthday gift. Since the excavation of the diamond, an Amsterdam cutter separated the Cullinan into four different entities.
The Cullinan I is deemed the largest cut in the world. It weighed a total of 530 carets. The shape of this diamond cut is described as “pendelique-brilliant.” The Cullinan II was fashioned in a cushion shape, which totaled 317 carets. The Cullinan III was cut into a pendelique shape, weighing 94 carets. The Cullinan IV weighed 63 carets, which was shaped as a square. Various smaller stones were also pieced from the original Cullinan.
Representing the darkest blue shade of topaz is called the London blue topaz. Although some stones of this variety are naturally blue in color, most blue topaz selections are actually silver topaz, which has been irradiated, as well as treated with heat. With a hardness of 8, the London blue topaz is not only positioned in London, but can also be found in Brazil, United States, Pakistan, Mexico, Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (also known as Burma), Russia, Australia (including Tasmania), and Africa.
It is thought that the Nepal diamond originally came from the Golconda mines located in India. It is better described as a rather large, flawless diamond that weighs 80 carets. Originally owned by the Nepalese government, the diamond is now in the possession of Harry Winston, who is a well-known American jeweler.
An interesting pale kind of amethyst has recently earned the name of rose de France, which is also referred to as the lavender amethyst. With a hardness of 7, this type of transparent quartz can be found all over the world. The shade is a soothing pale lilac, which is sometimes treated with heat to achieve a lighter color, as well as remove smokiness from its appearance.
In the wonderful world of rocks and minerals, there are also specimens that are named for their destination, as well as possess misleading names. For example, the Mexican diamond is actually a rock crystal, while the Nevada diamond is really a piece of obsidian, which is artificial in color. Obsidian is a semi-precious stone, which is not a true diamond. The Nevada topaz isn’t really a piece of topaz, but is also a piece of obsidian.