When this monster stone was presented to Edward VII it looked like a block of rock salt, as may be judged from the exact model of it now to be seen in the Jewel House. When the experts were called in they declared that it was impossible to cut a stone of this size and shape into one brilliant; they therefore recommended that following the natural cleavages it should be broken up into four parts, two of which would be very great brilliants, and two of lesser size. King Edward following this advice, and with the full consent of the donors, called in the celebrated diamond-cutters of Amsterdam, the Messrs. Coster, and put the work in hand. One can imagine the enormous anxiety and the extraordinary coolness, steadiness of hand, and skill of the man who with one tremor of the mallet or chisel might mar the greatest stone of all ages. The chisel and the steel mallet with which this delicate operation was performed are preserved at the Tower, and it is noticeable that there are only two or three dents in the chisel, showing how true and clean the strokes must have been. Thus split up, the largest portion was cut into a pear-shaped brilliant, and set at the head of the King’s Sceptre. The next largest portion was cut into a cushion-shaped brilliant, and placed in the band of the King’s State Crown, just below the Black Prince’s ruby. Both of these brilliants are larger and finer stones than any others, including the Koh-i-Nur. The two remaining large portions are set, one in the band, and the other in the cross paté of Queen Mary’s Crown. It may be of interest to record the exact weight and sizes of these four great brilliants which collectively are called the Stars of South Africa. The largest portion, that in the King’s Sceptre, weighs 516-1/2 carats, and measures 2-5/6 in. in length and 1-13/16 in. at its broadest part. The next largest portion, that in the band of the King’s State Crown, weighs 309-3/16 carats, and measures 1-13/16 in. in length, and 1-11/16 inches in breadth. The third portion, that in the band of Queen Mary’s Crown, weighs 96 carats, and the fourth portion, which is drop shaped and is in the cross paté on the top of Queen Mary’s Crown, weighs 64 carats. Thus it will be noticed that a rough stone weighing 3025 carats cuts down into four brilliants weighing in the aggregate under 986 carats.