A rare diamond from India’s royal past is poised to enchant collectors worldwide. The stunning 23.24-carat bright blue diamond known as the Golconda Blue will be auctioned for the first time on May 14 at Christie’s ‘Magnificent Jewels’ sale in Geneva. The diamond, once owned by the Maharajas of Indore and Baroda, is estimated to sell for $35-50 million, or around ₹300-₹430 crore.
This magnificent diamond is placed in a modern ring designed by Parisian jeweller JAR, emphasising its timeless appeal. Christie’s has previously handled numerous renowned Golconda diamonds, but the Golconda Blue stands out for its regal provenance and remarkable colour.
The diamond comes from the renowned Golconda mines in present-day Telangana, famous for producing the Koh-i-Noor and the Hope Diamond. Its voyage began in 1923, when Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II commissioned Chaumet to put it in a bracelet. It was later featured in a grand necklace by Mauboussin and famously painted in a portrait of the Maharani of Indore.
In 1947, it was purchased by Harry Winston in the US and eventually returned to Indian royalty.
Currently, the Oppenheimer Blue is the most expensive blue diamond ever auctioned, fetching $57.5 million in 2016.
