Famous Diamonds: Granny’s Chips

Posted on May 21, 2014 in Diamonds in the News,

In addition to Cullinan I (link) and the already featured famous diamond Cullinan II, the 3,025-carat Cullinan rough also produced stones III-IX in addition to 96 small brilliants. Two of the larger stones, Cullinan III and IV, originally referred to as the “Lesser Stars of Africa” are affectionately called “Granny’s Chips.” Together, these famous diamonds account for a total of 158 carats!

Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

The two gems were loved by Queen Mary, wife of King George V, In 1911, she had Cullinan III, a pear-shape drop of 94.40 carats, and Cullinan IV, a cushion-shape stone of 63.60 carats, mounted temporarily in a lattice-work setting and placed into her new crown made by Garrard for the coronation.

The following year, the Delhi Durbar Tiara was adapted to hold both stones. Cullinan III and IV were occasionally used as a pendant to the Coronation Necklace in place of the Lahore Diamond.

However, the stones were most often worn hooked together as a pendant brooch, which is why the brooch is typically referred to as “Granny’s Chips.” She wore the brooch to important family events, including her children’s weddings, the 1937 coronation of her son George VI, and her grandaughter Princess Elizabeth’s