P. Pilgrim
Diamonds are one of those unique and rare commodities which draws the curiosity of men. Natural diamonds are considered rare because they require extreme heat and pressure to form deep within the earth and rely on ancient volcanic eruptions to bring them to the surface. While carbon itself is abundant, the specific geological circumstances that create gem-quality diamonds make them uniquely scarce. Once mined, only a small fraction of these stones possess the size, colour, and clarity necessary to be used in fine jewellery. The largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found so far is the Cullinan Diamond. It was approximately 10.1 centimetres long, 6.35 centimetres wide, 5.9 centimetres deep, and weighed 3,106 carats or 621.20 grams. It was discovered at the Premier No.2 mine in Cullinan, South Africa, on 26 January 1905. It was named after Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the mine.
The uncut stone was brought to England to be sold in April 1905, but despite considerable interest, it was still unsold after two years. In 1907, the Transvaal Colony government bought the Cullinan and Prime Minister Louis Botha presented it to Edward VII of England. The diamond was then cut by Joseph Asscher & Co. in Amsterdam. Due to its massive size, it was cut into nine major stones. The largest is the Cullinan I and was named the Great Star of Africa by Edward VII, and at 530.4 carats (106.08 g), it is the largest cut clear-diamond in the world. The stone is mounted in the head of the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross. The second largest cut clear-diamond is Cullinan II or the Second Star of Africa, weighing 317.4 carats (63.48 g), it is mounted in the Imperial State Crown. Both are part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and kept in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. In the world of gemstones rarity, colour, size and flawlessness are the unique qualities most prized.
The Bible teaches that the living God is unique too. The prophet Isaiah is one of the principal prophets who focused on this teaching. In his book Isaiah chapter 46 verse 9 he says ‘Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,’. The chapter before he says the same thing, Isaiah 45 verse 5 ‘I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me:’. This teaches the uniqueness of the living God. In a world of polytheism the God of the bible states clearly and decisively that he is the only God. He has revealed himself to his people and is absolute in his power therefore sovereign over the world. Furthermore, he has obligated himself to act on behalf of those who trust in him. He is the only creator of the world, and he challenges the other gods to prove themselves. In Isaiah 41 verse 21 he says ‘Produce your cause,’. Bring forth evidence that you are a god, tell us something that you have done, tell us the future that we can see you are telling the truth. But none answered him. In Isaiah 41 verse 28, 29 he says ‘For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, … could answer a word. Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.’ The living God is saying I am unique there is no one like me in all the world.
The Cullinan Diamonds are the only ones for size, clarity and therefore rarity in the world. They are one of a kind, they are unique. That is what God says I am the only living God therefore you can trust in me. (pilgrimway101@yahoo.com)
