Famous Diamonds of the World

Every magnificent diamond has its own story….

Story of extravaganza, royalty, loot, plunder, betrayal, romance and undying love. Diamonds which are counted among the most precious gifts of nature have witnessed it all and they clearly reflect our past. To possess them man has burried them, hidden them in their wounds or even swallowed it to safeguard them from their enemies. Diamonds have many mysterious stories associated with them. This post of The Jewel Affair attempts to bring to light these mysterious stories and the interesting past of four famous diamonds of the world.

THE CULLINAN I (STAR OF AFRICA): 530.20 CTS.

The Cullinan diamond was discovered in the Premier mines in the year 1905 in Kimberley, South Africa. De Beers carried out the mining in the region and the company was then headed by Sir Ernest Oppenheimer.

One afternoon the superintendent of the mine noticed a flash on one of the walls of the mine and thought it was glass. But later the tests confirmed it to be diamond. It was named after Sir Thomas Cullinan owned the mine. The diamond was then sold to the South African Republic (Transvaal government) who presented it to King Edward VII .

The rough was the biggest gem quality diamond ever unearthed and it weighed around 3,105 cts. The huge rough was cut by Asscher Diamond Company, into nine diamonds and were named as Cullinan I, Cullinan II and so on. Cullinan I was given the name of The Star of Africa which weighed 530.20 cts and Cullinan II weighed 317cts. and was named The star of Africa II. Both these famous diamonds are a part of the British Crown Jewels and exhibited in The Tower of London.

 

THE STAR OF AFRICA I

THE STAR OF AFRICA II

THE CENTENARY: 273.85 cts.

The Centenary diamond was discovered two years prior its official announcement at the De Beers centenary celebrations in the year 1988. The diamond was discovered in the Premier mines in South Africa and weighed 599 cts when excavated. The shape was quite irregular but the color was spectacular (GIA color grade –‘D’). The arduous job was handed over to Gabi Tolkowsky, who along with his two other master cutters took one year only to have the appropriate cutting environment which included their tools and other technical aspects. Firstly the stone was brought to a better shape and then they proposed thirteen designs to the De Beers board. Out of all designs they agreed to cut it into a modified heart shape. The Centenary made its first appearance in the year 1991 and had been insured for $ 100 million. The current location of the Centenary is unknown.

 

THE CENTENARY DIAMOND

THE ORLOV (ORLOFF): 189.62 CTS.

The Orlov diamond’s journey has been extremely enigmatic. There  is a speculation that the diamond is from the Golconda mines in Andhra Pradesh, and there are many accounts as to how it made its way finally to Moscow.    

The most famous account which relates to the Orlov states that it was set in one of the eye of Lord Ranganatha’s reclining idol (an avtar of Lord Vishnu), in Srirangam. A French soldier working in Pondicherry moved near Srirangam. When he heard about the fabled reclining idol with eyes of diamonds, he was filled with greed and he conspired to steal the diamonds.

It took him several years to get his plan into action as only Hindus had the access to the temple. He converted into a Hindu and became an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu to win the confidence of the priests and gain access to the inner areas of the temple.

On one of the monsoon nights he finally proceeded with his plot and  pulled out one eye. He could not manage to pull out the other one as waves of fear lashed over him and he ran for his life. He then sold the diamond to an English sea captain for a hefty price. From here on it changed hands many a times and reached Russia.

Another account suggests that the diamond belonged to the Mughals and Nadir Shah from Persia had looted it. Years later it finally came in the hands of an American merchant Safras, who supposedly killed his brothers to own this diamond. He then moved to Amsterdam as a jewel merchant and sold it to Grigori Grigorievich Orlov, who wanted to persuade Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia for marriage. However, the Empress did not marry Orlov as she had fallen out of love but accepted his gift. She then finally set the Orlov diamond in The Imperial Sceptre and presently it is displayed as a part of the Russian Crown Jewels in Moscow.

 

THE ORLOV SET IN THE ROYAL SCEPTRE

THE REGENT: 140.50 cts.

The story of the Regent begins from the Golconda mines in Andhra Pradesh. During the rise of the British empire in India one of the governor named, Thomas Pitt who had been appointed in Madras had keen interest in diamond trade. One of the English captain had sold the diamond to Pitt after illicitly acquiring it from a slave.

Alternative account suggests that Pitt bought the stone from a diamond merchant, Jamchand for a price of £ 20,000.  The diamond then weighed over 400 cts and was often even called the Pitt Diamond and it was cut in London over a period of two years. The final weight of the stone was 140.50 cts , and it was cut in a beautiful cushion shape. The most attractive feature of the stone was a sparkling blue tint.

Due to the possession of the diamond, Pitt had acquired many enemies. And in the desperation to save himself he tried selling it to the French royalty in the year 1714. The very next year Louis XV ascended the throne but was only 5 years old. The state of affairs was handled by, Philippe II, Duke of Orleans eho was appointed as the regent. The diamond was then bought by the regent and its name changed from Pitt to Regent. The Regent made its place in the Crown Jewels and it appeared in special occassions like weddings and coronation ceremonies. During the French Revolution the Regent was stolen and recovered in Paris after a year. Until the year 1799, when Napoleon Bonaparte came to power it was a part of public treasure. In the year 1802, the Regent was set in Napoleon’s sword.

The famous diamond passed through the hands of many kings and queens but finally came to Eugénie Maria in 1853, who was married to Charles Louis Napoleon III.

The Regent ultimately rested as a part of the French Crown Jewles in the Louvre Museum and is still there.

 

THE REGENT

These legendary diamonds might be quietly resting in museums today but their journeys have been extraordinary.

The Jewel Affair will let you soak in these marvellous stories and will be back soon to reveal the trail of a few more spectacular diamonds….

*Certain facts have been taken down from the book ‘ Great Diamonds of India’.