Cullinan Diamond Mine

About this tour

The Cullinan Petra Diamond Mine excursion lets you see and experience the wonder of diamonds. The mine is 50 km from Pretoria and has been world famous since 1905, when the world's biggest diamond, the 3,106 carat Star of Africa, was found here. On the tour we hear and see what happened to this famous diamond.

Diamonds, including the famous Cullinan cut, may be bought at the diamond shop at the end of the tour.

Interesting facts: the word diamond comes from the Greek word "adamas", meaning invincible. The Cullinan mine is a carrot-shaped volcanic pipe with a surface area of 42 hectares, about 40 soccer pitches. The 3,106 carat Cullinan Diamond was given to King Edward VII on his 66th birthday and was posted to England by normal package post. A diamond is the hardest natural substance known (10 on the Mohs scale). A 1 carat diamond weighs 0.2 g, while the famous Cullinan weighed 621.2 g.

This is a surface tour only. Underground tours can be arranged but must be booked in advance. Please contact African Timeout for details.