The Golconda Blue holds deep historical significance for India due to its origins in the famed Golconda mines of present-day Telangana and its association with the royal houses of Indore and Baroda.
A rare 23.24-carat vivid blue diamond, known as The Golconda Blue and once owned by Indian royalty, is set to go under the hammer at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva, Switzerland. Mounted in a contemporary ring by acclaimed Parisian designer JAR, the gem is expected to fetch between USD 35 and 50 million (approximately Rs 300–430 crore).
“Exceptional noble gems of this caliber come to market once in a lifetime,” said Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewelry. He underscored the diamond’s prestigious provenance, placing it in the league of legendary Golconda gems like the Archduke Joseph and the Princie.
“With its royal heritage, extraordinary color, and exceptional size, The Golconda Blue is truly one of the rarest blue diamonds in the world,” Kadakia added.
For Indians, The Golconda Blue holds deep historical significance due to its origins in the famed Golconda mines of present-day Telangana and its association with the royal houses of Indore and Baroda.
The diamond’s documented journey begins with Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore—an influential modernist ruler known for his refined aesthetic and cosmopolitan lifestyle during the 1920s and 1930s. In 1923, his father commissioned a bracelet featuring the blue diamond from French jeweler Chaumet, following the acquisition of the iconic Indore Pears.
In the 1930s, royal jeweler Mauboussin reimagined the piece, setting The Golconda Blue into a necklace famously worn by the Maharani of Indore and immortalised in a portrait by French artist Bernard Boutet de Monvel.
Post India’s independence in 1947, the diamond was acquired by renowned New York jeweler Harry Winston, who mounted it in a brooch alongside a matching white diamond. The piece later made its way to the Maharaja of Baroda before entering private ownership.
The upcoming live auction will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, marking the first time The Golconda Blue will be available to collectors and the public through open bidding.
source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)