For some years now, we’ve worked to build a special connection with the unique place that is the Cullinan Mine: source of the largest rough diamond ever discovered: the 3,106 carat Cullinan diamond. It yielded Cullinan I and Cullinan II - the ‘Greater and Lesser Stars of Africa’ - both of which are in the Crown Jewels. They featured during Her Majesty The Queen’s Coronation on 2 June 1953, in the Sovereign’s Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown. And like those diamonds, the remarkable stones in this collection come straight from the Cullinan Mine.
Peace of Mined
A Legacy
The Story
Launched in 2022, the Peace of Mined collection marked a significant moment in Boodles’ history, bringing together a long-held ambition with a year of national celebration, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Created using diamonds sourced from the Cullinan Mine, the collection honoured both exceptional provenance and a heritage that connects Boodles to the British Royal Family, spanning from royal commissions to historic jewellery moments.
The Inspiration
The Cullinan Mine holds a unique place in royal history as the source of the largest rough diamond ever discovered, the 3,106 carat Cullinan diamond. From this remarkable stone came Cullinan I and Cullinan II, known as the ‘Greater and Lesser Stars of Africa’, which now form part of the British Crown Jewels. These extraordinary diamonds were set into the Sovereign’s Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown, playing a central role in the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Special Stones
An opulent showcase of exceptional stones, the collection featured an array of old cushion, emerald, pear, round brilliant and old mine cut diamonds, ranging from over 1 to 8 carats, and spanning a refined palette of white, pink and fancy yellow diamonds, each selected for its clarity, intensity and outstanding brilliance.
Behind The Design
Drawing inspiration from iconic pieces such as The Queen’s sunray tiara and star brooch, the designs reinterpreted these timeless forms into refined, contemporary silhouettes, uniting tradition, craftsmanship and modern elegance.
Heritage
Two journeys, decades apart, marked Boodles’ enduring connection to the Cullinan Mine. In 1977, during The Queen’s Silver Jubilee, Anthony Wainwright and his wife Jean travelled deep beneath the mine’s surface, forging a relationship that would shape the future of the business. Years later, that journey was retraced by our Managing Director, Michael Wainwright, alongside his family, continuing this legacy of exploration, returning with exceptional rough stones that would go on to inspire and define the collection.
Craftsmanship
Once in London, each stone underwent a meticulous process of laser mapping, cutting and polishing, often taking many months to complete. Guided by master craftsmen, every facet was precisely angled to maximise light, fire and balance, with an unwavering focus on preserving the diamond’s natural integrity.
Behind the design
The Cullinan Mine is one of the world’s most remarkable diamond sources, with over 125 years of history and the distinction of being the oldest active diamond mine. Vast in scale and operation, it yields only a small quantity of gem-quality stones from thousands of tonnes of ore, each diamond having formed over a billion years ago. Boodles has cultivated a unique relationship with the mine over several decades, enabling the direct sourcing of exceptional rough diamonds, which are then expertly cut and transformed into some of the house’s finest and most distinctive creations.
The Boodles Archives
The Boodles Archive offers a glimpse into a series of exclusive high jewellery collections, each defined by one-of-a-kind designs and exceptional gemstones. Drawing inspiration from places, people and journeys, these collections reflect moments in time translated through craftsmanship and creativity.