A petition by a South African activist is asking the British royal family to return the world’s largest diamond, the Cullinan, which is in the Crown Jewels. The gemstone gave rise to nine diamonds. One of them, also known as the Great Star of Africa, can be seen on the royal sceptre that King Charles III will carry at his coronation, which takes place on Saturday.

Weighing 3,106.75 carats (621.35 grams), the Cullinan is still, to this day, the The largest diamond ever found.

a petitionwhich appeared Thursday with More than 8,000 signaturesby a lawyer and activist from Johannesburg.

Cullinan was extracted from a mine in South Africanear Pretoria, in 1905. At that time, it was It was offered to the royal family by the government of South Africa, which was under British rule.

Precious stones It gave rise to nine diamonds. The two biggest crown jewels: Cullinan ialso called The great star of AfricaIt weighs 530.4 carats (106.08 grams). It can be seen on the royal scepter; and Cullinan II, weighing 317.4 carats (63.48 grams), in the Imperial State Crown worn on ceremonial occasions. The other seven diamonds were the private property of Isabelle II, who inherited them from her grandmother.

The activist who filed the petition claims that Jewelry should be seen as “stacked” works of art. So they are returned to the country of origin.

This is not the first time that the return of jewelry has been mooted. After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, prof South Africa increased calls from the British royal family to reinstate Cullinan I.

a Royal Collection Boxwho is responsible for overseeing the British royal family’s collection, says Diamond was It was offered to King Edward VIITwo years after it was discovered.