The mine was discovered in 1890 and established in 1902 as the premier diamond mine in South Africa. The Cullinan diamond pipe is the oldest diamond pipe in the world and in 1905 was only 9 meters from the surface. The volcanic pipe shaped in the form of a carrot, has a surface area of 42 hectares - approx 40 soccer pitches.

In January 1905 the world's largest rough gem, the Cullinan Diamond at 3,106.75 carats was discovered by the surface manager, Frederick Wells. The diamond was named after the mine owner, Sir Thomas Cullinan. The diamond was cut into many stones including 2 very large diamonds, and given to King Edward VII in 1907 on his 66th birthday and forms part of the British crown jewels. The diamond was posted to England in normal package post.

Over 250 diamonds of over 100 carats have been found in the Cullinan mine including a 101.27 carats diamond, sold for $6.2 million. Diamonds of a total of more than 120 million carats have been mined since this mine was opened. This is the only site in the world where blue diamonds have been found. In 2003 the mine was renamed the Cullinan Diamond mine and in 2007 it was sold by De Beers (the world's biggest diamond producer) to Petra Diamonds. 

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