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Showing posts from June, 2014

Cullinan, the Diamond Gem of Gauteng

The main street in Cullinan. Cullinan diamonds, a steam train from Pretoria, various antique shops and historical buildings. Cullinan has it all. Cullinan, also referred to as the "gem" of the Gauteng province, is a small town about 30 kilometres east of Pretoria named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, a well-known diamond magnate.  It was also here in Cullinan where the famous Cullinan diamond, the largest ever rough-gem diamond, was found    at 3,106,75 carat with 621.35 g and worth about $400 million.  If you are interested in Cullinan's diamond history, you can also visit its big diamond hole which apparently is four times bigger than the one in Kimberley.   An antique shop close to the railway station. Various Edwardian period buildings in the renowned Oak Avenue with its Oak trees,  picket fences, small porches and gardens as well as interesting restaurants and coffee shops provide for a  fascinating experience.  The Premier Mine (now known as the Cullinan