Editor’s Note
This article details the upcoming auction of the historic ‘Golconda Blue’ diamond, a 23.24-carat gem with deep roots in India’s royal past. Its journey from the treasury of Indore’s Holkar dynasty to the international auction block underscores both its enduring allure and the complex narratives often carried by such artifacts.
Golconda Blue Diamond to be Auctioned for 300-400 Crore Rupees
Indore (Piyush Singh Rajput): The Golconda Blue, once a symbol of India’s grandeur, is going up for public auction for the first time. This pear-shaped diamond was once part of India’s royal heritage. However, very few people might know that the ‘Golconda Blue’ once belonged to Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II of Indore. This 23.24-carat blue, brilliant diamond is now set to be auctioned in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 14.
Golconda Blue Was Part of Maharaja Holkar’s Jewelry
Historian Zafar Ansari told ETV Bharat:
“This diamond was kept by Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II of Indore. His father, Tukojirao III, had a particular fondness for collecting blue and green diamonds, and he was the first to have this diamond set into jewelry.”
He added:
“In the 1920s-30s, Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II had it set into his turban and other jewelry and wore it. He was famous for his passion for jewelry. It’s difficult to say how long he kept this diamond because he possessed a vast treasury of large diamonds, which was called the Jawahar Khana.”
Maharaja’s Jewelry Was Designed by Several Foreigners
Historian Zafar Ansari further states:
“This 23-carat, pear-shaped diamond was with Tukojirao III, the father of Maharaja Yashwant Rao II, during the princely era. Later, this diamond came to him, and he had it set into his jewelry. These ornaments were part of his Jawahar Khana, from which he later had various modern jewelry pieces made for himself and wore this diamond on many occasions.”
He continued:
“In 1933, the Maharaja appointed Mauboussin as his jeweler, who designed many of his ornaments. During this period, a long necklace was also created, which included the Golconda Blue and the Indore Pears diamonds.”
Then the Golconda Blue Reached Harry Winston
According to Christie’s, the company auctioning it in Geneva on May 14:
“The famous American jewelry artist Harry Winston purchased the Indore Pears in 1946 and the Blue Diamond Golconda in 1947. Later, it was set into a brooch (a type of decorative ornament). This brooch was later purchased by the Maharaja of Baroda. However, this sequence did not stop, and Harry Winston bought it again, gave it a new design, and then sold it.”
After a journey of nearly 80 years, the Golconda Blue Diamond is going up for public auction.
This Time, the Golconda Blue is Set in a Ring
After an 80-year journey, this diamond reached Paris, where the famous jeweler JAR has set it into a captivating ring. Christie’s company will now auction it in Geneva. It is estimated that this rare diamond, once part of India’s heritage, could be purchased for between 300 to 400 crore rupees.
