The Centenary Diamond was discovered in the Premier Mine on July 17, 1986 using their X-ray imaging system. It is the world's third-largest, modern-cut perfect diamond that possesses 599 carats in rough form. The Gemological Institute of America has certified Centenary Diamond with a color grade as D color. This is supposed to be the highest grade of colorless diamond.
The original rough was presented on May 11, 1988 in the Centennial Celebration of the De Beers Consolidated Mines. As then-chairman Julian Oglivie Thompson said, "We have recovered at the Premier Mine a diamond of 599 carats (119.8 g) which is perfect in color – indeed it is one of the largest top-color diamonds ever found. Naturally it will be called the Centenary Diamond."
The Centenary is characterized with 75 faces on the pinnacle, 89 on the base and 83 on the girdle that forms a total of 247 facets. In recent times, the diamond has been placed as an element of the British Crown Jewels.
The complete version of the Centenary diamond was unveiled in February 1991 and comprises a body mass of 273.85 carats (54.770 g) with proportions computing to 39.90 × 50.50 × 24.55 mm. The complete gem statistics consists of 247 facets with 164 on the stone and 83 on the girdle. The stone was indemnified at over US$100 million at the time of its unveiling ceremony during May 1991. The recent fact about the stone is that it was loaned to the Tower of London where it was on exhibition for a number of years.
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