The Dark yet Glittering History of the Cursed Golconda Diamonds

The history of the Golconda diamonds is steeped in rich tradition and legend. Dating back to the 16th century, the region of Golconda, located in present-day Andhra Pradesh, India, was renowned for its diamond mines and was a major source of diamonds for centuries. 

The diamonds mined in Golconda were known for their exceptional quality, unique color, and historical significance, making them highly prized by rulers and wealthy merchants all over the world. Despite legends of curses surrounding certain diamonds, the Golconda diamonds are considered some of the most valuable diamonds in the world today. 

From India to the World: The History of the Golconda Diamond Trade

The Golconda diamonds have a glittering history behind them. These precious gems have a rich and storied past dating back to the  16th century , when the  region of Golconda , located in present-day Andhra Pradesh,  India, was renowned for its diamond mines and was a major source of diamonds for centuries. Ruled by the prestigious  Qutb Shahi  dynasty, the diamond mines of Golconda were controlled by the royal family and produced diamonds of exceptional quality, highly prized by rulers and wealthy merchants all over the world.

In the  18th century , the British established trading posts in the region and began to control the diamond trade. They established the powerful “Diamond Syndicate” which controlled the diamond mines and trade. It was during this time that many famous diamonds like the  Koh-i-Noor and the Hope Diamond were mined and exported to European countries.

Replica of the Koh-i-Noor diamond at Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, Mumbai.  (Public Domain )

As the 19th century rolled in, the Golconda diamond mines began to decline, as the British shifted their focus to new diamond discoveries in South Africa. Despite this, the Golconda diamonds continued to be prized for their exceptional quality and historical significance.

Today, the legacy of the Golconda diamonds lives on in the many famous and valuable diamonds that were mined in the region, many of which can be found in museums and royal collections all over the world. Even now, the Golconda diamonds are the most highly sought-after diamonds in the world.

The Exceptional Quality and Clarity of the Rare Golconda Diamonds

The Golconda diamonds aren’t just any diamonds. These one-of-a-kind gems are known for several characteristics that set them apart from other diamonds in terms of quality and significance. 

First and foremost, the Golconda diamonds have exceptional quality and clarity compared to other diamonds. Most of the diamonds mined in the Golconda region are considered amongst the finest and most valuable of their kind in the world.  These diamonds are also set apart by their color. While most diamonds are white or yellow, the Golconda diamonds come in a variety of colors including blue, green, pink, and colorless. The Hope Diamond, for example, is known for its rare deep blue color. Colorless diamonds from this region, such as the Koh-i-Noor, are known for their shocking clarity, appearing almost as glittering glass.

The Hope Diamond, one of the largest of all blue diamonds, 45.52 carats, exhibited at the National Museum of Natural History. The gem is slightly lopsided, possibly because the bottom of the teardrop shape was cut away so that the original stolen jewel could not be identified. The setting is a circlet of smaller white diamonds on a chain of diamonds.  (Public Domain )

Size plays an important role in the rarity of the Golconda diamonds as well. Most mined diamonds are quite small, while many of the Golconda diamonds weighed several dozen karats. The Koh-i-Noor, for example, is said to have originally weighed 106 karats! 

The quality, color, and size of the Golconda diamonds have all contributed to their value as some of the most prized diamonds in the world. This is especially true when you consider that they are no longer mined, making them especially rare for collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. 

The Dark and Devastating Curses of the Koh-i-Noor and the Hope Diamond

In addition to having fame over their quality and rarity, the Golconda diamonds are known for being steeped in several  curses and legends . One famous legend is that of the Koh-i-Noor, one of the rarest diamonds mined in the Golconda region in the 13th century. This rare gem is said to have been owned by the Rajahs of Malwa and later passed through the hands of various Indian rulers, including the Mughal emperors before it was eventually taken by the British. The diamond was said to be so powerful that it brought bad luck to whoever possessed it, and was said to have the ability to bring down entire kingdoms. The diamond was also said to have been cursed, with the inscription:

“He who owns this diamond will own the world, but will also know all its misfortunes. Only God, or a woman, can wear it with impunity.”

Another famous diamond from Golconda is the  Hope Diamond , which was mined in the 17th century and is said to have been cursed. According to legend, the diamond was stolen from an idol of the Hindu goddess Sita by French merchant  Jean-Baptiste Tavernier , who died shortly after selling it to King Louis XIV. After many more of the diamond’s owners suffered from significant misfortune, it was spread that the goddess Sita had placed a curse on the gem so it would bring misfortune and death to whoever possessed it.

While the stories of these curses are not supported by any historical facts, it is important to note that many of the people who owned these diamonds were also powerful figures, and their misfortunes were often highly publicized and can be linked to other factors such as political and personal issues.

The Regent Diamond: A Crown Jewel of French History

The Regent Diamond is another famous diamond from Golconda that was discovered in the late 17th century and was said to be the largest diamond of its time, weighing over 140 carats. The diamond was discovered in the early 18th century and was owned by various rulers and wealthy merchants before it was acquired by the French government in 1717.

Crown of King Louis XVI in Louvre Museum in Paris . (CC BY-SA 4.0 )

The legend behind the Regent Diamond is that it was once owned by Thomas Pitt, the Governor of Fort St. George in Madras, India. He is said to have purchased the diamond from a local merchant in the late 17th century and brought it back to England, where it was cut and polished to enhance its brilliance.

The Regent Diamond was later acquired by the French Regent, Philippe II, Duke of Orleans, in 1717, who had it set in the hilt of his ceremonial sword. The diamond was later set in the crown of Louis XV and Louis XVI and was also used to adorn the ceremonial sword of  Napoleon Bonaparte .

The Regent Diamond is now on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris. It is considered one of the most beautiful and valuable diamonds in the world and is known for its exceptional clarity and unique internal “water” or “cognac” color.

The Golconda Diamonds: A Glittering Legacy

The Golconda diamonds are a true treasure trove of history, legend, and scandal. These precious gems have stood the test of time, with their exceptional quality, unique color, historical significance, and rarity making them some of the most sought-after diamonds in the world. The stories and rumors that surround these diamonds, such as the curse of the Hope Diamond, only add to their allure and mystique. 

Even though the mines have been mostly exhausted, the legacy of the Golconda diamonds lives on through the many famous and valuable diamonds that were mined in the region and can be found in museums and royal collections all over the world. Thanks to those who cherish them, the Golconda diamonds will continue to shine brightly in the minds of people for many years to come.

Top image: Left; Replica of the Koh-i-Noor diamond. Right; The Hope Diamond, one of the largest of all blue diamonds.  Source: Left;  Public Domain , Right;  Public Domain

By Lex Leigh