Not just Kohinoor, Queen Elizabeth II's death puts spotlight on 'stolen' 500 carat Great Star of Africa diamond

The demand by the Government of South Africa to the British Crown states that the 'Great Star of Africa', or the 500-carat clear diamond cut from a larger piece, be returned. The calls for repatriation increased with the death of Queen Elizabeth II. South Africans think the diamond needs to be returned on the premise that it was stolen and given to the Royal Family.

This precious stone, called the Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa, was dug out of a mine in South Africa in 1905. The erstwhile colonial masters who ruled South Africa had given it to the British Royal family, and it found a place in the royal sceptre of the Queen.

The South African media and many ordinary South Africans are demanding that the diamond be returned to them soon. Around 6,000 people have signed a petition to return the precious stone so it can be displayed in a museum in South Africa.


Vuyolwethu Zungula, an MP in the South African parliament, has insisted that the entire country stand together to demand the return of all precious stones and gold and also pay the compensation for all the ills Britain caused while in power in South Africa. Netizens have posted their comments demanding the return of the Great Star of Africa.




The diamond was sent to Asscher of Amsterdam to be cut into shape in 1908 after it was presented to the Royal family of Britain. The diamond weighed 3,106 carats in its original form before being cut into shape to weigh 500 carats. As per claims by the Royal Ascher, the diamond was gifted to King Edward VII as a birthday gift (he was the King of Britain then) by the Transvaal Government, which purchased it from someone. Evaristo Benyera, Professor of African Politics at the University of South Africa, has denounced this narrative. He felt that no blood diamond should justifiably belong to any owner if it was stolen. That owner might have purchased the diamond, but it remains a stolen property, so that owner has to return it. The British colonial power in the Transvaal at that time and the British government worked in tandem to rob countries of the resources in this manner.

The diamond was cut into several pieces of various sizes, of which two large sizes were named the Great Star of Africa and the smaller one, the Smaller Star of Africa. The smaller one was placed on the crown of the monarch. Queen Elizabeth II has been painted in many portraits with diamonds.

Britain has pledged to return a few items (72 in number) to the country of Benin, which were looted in a military operation in 1897.

FAQs

Q. What is the cost and weight of the Kohinoor Diamond?
A.The A. Kohinoor diamond costs around $200 million, weighing approximately 100 carats.

Q. To whom does the Kohinoor belong?
A. The British Royal Family, was last owned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.