The star of South Africa is 47.69 carats, pear shaped stone that was discovered on the banks of Orange River, South Africa, in 1869. The fabulous stone is also called as "Dudley diamond". A shepherd boy found the white stone on the banks of Orange River and sold for a hefty price of 500 sheep, 10 oxen and a horse to Schalk Van Niekerk, discoverer of Eureka diamond.

Amazing qualities of stone :

It is a brilliant stellar cut, colorless, pear-shaped stone, weighing 47.69 carats. The Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A) rated the stone as D-color, which is considered to be the highest color rating for white stone. Louis Hand, the renowned master cutter, employed the three sided oval cut for the sparkling gem. The stone is a most significant diamond with perfect 4C's - cut clarity, color and carats. It is absolutely colorless, because of the absence of scattering of nitrogen atoms in its cubic structure. Due its phenomenal qualities, every one rushed to Africa with the intention of acquiring it, which eventually led to the discovery of Kimberly mines. This glittering gem is the first larger diamond discovered in South Africa.

History of origin :

In 1869, the stone was discovered accidently by a shepherd boy on the banks of Orange River, South Africa. Without knowing the potential value of the stone, he sold the stone for a minimal price to the discoverer of eureka diamond, Schalk van Niekerk. Later, Lillian field brothers in Hope Town purchased the stone for $11,200. The diamond then rested in the hands of William ward, the Earl of Dudley and stayed in Ward's treasure until 1974. It was exhibited in the National history museum in London, in 2005 and still remains there sharing space with other exquisite stones such as millennium star, Lesotho promise etc.