Star of the South
The Star of the South or Estrela do Sul is a 128,48 carats diamond that is cut into a cushion shape and has a light pinkish-brown color. At the time of discovery in the middle of the 19th century it weighted 261,88 carats.
The Star of the South was discovered in 1853 by a slave woman who worked at the
Bagagem Diamond Mines in Brazil. She handed it over to her master who in turn
rewarded her by granting her personal freedom and a life income. However, it seems
he was unaware of the real value and sold the diamond for Sterling 3,000. The rough diamond
changed several owners until it was purchased by Coster's Establishment of
Amsterdsam which had it cut into oval cushion shape. 
The diamond attracted a lot of
attention after being exhibited at the London Exhibition in 1867 and at the Paris
Exhibition in 1867. The Star of the South was afterwards for a short period in India
where took place negotiations to sell it to a Maharajah. While the diamond was in
India it attracted attention of Prince Mulhar Rao of the Gaekwad royal family who
decided to buy the diamond for Sterling 80,000. The Star of the South was later mounted on a
necklace which was photographed in 1948 when Sita Devi of Baroda was wearing it at
the birthday party of her husband Maharajah Pratapsinh. In 2002, Rustomjee Jamsetjee
of Mumbai sold the diamond to Cartier.