The Kōh-i Nūr (Telugu: కోహినూరు; Hindi: कोहिनूर, Persian/Urdu: کوہ نور, Bangla: কহিনূর) "Mountain of Light"; also spelled Kohinoor, Koh-e Noor or Koh-i-Nur) is a 105 carat (21.6 g) diamond that was once the largest known diamond in the world. The Kohinoor originated at Golconda in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India, belonged to various Mughal and Persian rulers who fought bitterly over it at various points in history, and seized as a spoil of war, was finally stolen by the British and became part of the British Crown Jewels when British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli proclaimed Queen Victoria Empress of India in 1877.
Like all significant jewels, the Kohinoor has its share of legends. It is reputed to bring misfortune or death to any male who wears or owns it. Conversely, it is reputed to bring good luck to female owners. According to another legend, whoever owns the Koh-i-Noor rules the world
Origins and early history
The origins of the diamond are unclear. Many early stories of great diamonds in southern India exist, but it is hard to establish which one was the Koh-i-noor. According to some sources, the Koh-i-noor was originally found more than 5000 years ago, and is mentioned in ancient Sanskrit writings under the name Syamantaka. According to some Hindu mythological accounts. Krishna himself obtained the diamond from Jambavantha, whose daughter Jambavati later married Krishna. The legend says that the diamond was from the Sun God to Satrajith (father of Satyabhama)which produces 1000 kg of gold daily. Krishna got the blame of stealing the diamond from Satrajith's brother who is actually killed by a lion which in turn was killed by Jambavantha.
Historical evidence suggests that the Kohinoor originated in the Golconda kingdom, in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, one of the world's earliest diamond producing regions. This region was the only known source for diamonds until 1730 when diamonds were discovered in Brazil. The term "Golconda" diamond has come to define diamonds of the finest white color, clarity and transparency. They are very rare and highly sought after.
South Indian folklore is definite in claiming a local origin for the stone. It is likely that the diamond was mined in the Kollur mines near the village Paritala in the present day Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The diamond became the property of Kakatiya kings. The Khilji dynasty at Delhi ended in 1320 A.D. and Ghiyas ud din Tughluq Shah I ascended the Delhi throne. Tughlaq sent his son Ulugh Khan in 1323 to defeat the Kakatiya king Prataparudra. Ulugh Khan’s raid was repulsed but he returned in a month with a larger and determined army. The unprepared army of Kakatiya was defeated. The loot, plunder and destruction of Orugallu(present day Warangal), the capital of Kakatiya Kingdom, continued for months. Loads of gold, diamonds, pearls and ivory were carried away to Delhi on elephants, horses and camels. The Koh-i-noor diamond was part of the bounty. From then onwards, the stone passed through the hands of successive rulers of the Delhi sultanate, finally passing to Babur, the first Mughal emperor, in 1526.
The first confirmed note historically mentioning the Koh-i-noor by an identifiable name dates from 1526. Babur mentions in his memoirs, the Baburnama, that the stone had belonged to an un-named Rajah of Malwa in 1294. Babur held the stone's value to be such as to feed the whole world for two days. The Baburnama recounts how Rajah of Malwa was compelled to yield his prized possession to Ala ud din Khilji; it was then owned by a succession of dynasties that ruled the Delhi sultanate, finally coming into the possession of Babur himself in 1526, following his victory over the last ruler of that kingdom. However, the Baburnama was written c.1526-30; Babur's source for this information is unknown, and he may have been recounting the hearsay of his day. He did not at that time call the stone by its present name, but despite some debate about the identity of 'Babur's Diamond' it seems likely that it was the stone which later became known as Koh-i-noor.
Both Babur and Humayun mention very clearly in their memoirs the origins of 'Babur's Diamond'. This diamond was with the Kachhwaha rulers of Gwalior and then inherited by the Tomara line. The last of Tomaras, Vikramaditya, was defeated by Sikandar Lodi, Sultan of Delhi and became Delhi sultanate pensioner and resided in Delhi. On the defeat of Lodis and replacement by Mughals, his house was looted by the mughals and Prince Humayun interceded and restored his property even allowing him to leave Delhi and take refuge in Mewar at Chittaur. In return for Humayun's kindness, one of the diamonds, most likely the Koh-i-noor, in possession of Prince Vikaramaditya was given to Humayun in gratitude. Humayun had much bad luck throughout his life. Sher Shah Suri, who defeated Humayun, died in the flames of a burst cannon. His son Jalal Khan was murdered by his brother-in-law, who was overthrown by his minister, who in turn lost the empire of India by the unlucky accident of getting hit in the eye at stroke of victory. Humayun's son, Akbar, never kept the diamond with himself and later only Shah Jahan took it out of his treasury. Akbar's grandson, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son, Aurangazeb, who orchestrated the death and murder of his three brothers.
The Aurora Pyramid of Hope is the most comprehensive natural color diamond collection in the world[1]. It was on public display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York from 1989 to 2005 in the Morgan Hall of Gems. Aurora Pyramid of Hope was the centerpiece for the 1998 exhibition The Nature of Diamonds organized by the American Museum of Natural History which toured Japan, Canada and the U.S. In 2005 Aurora Pyramid of Hope was invited to participate in the exhibition Diamonds organized by The Natural History Museum of London. At that time 36 new specimens were added to the original 260 diamonds. Today Aurora Pyramid of Hope consists of 296 diamonds weighing a total of 267.45 carats (53.49 g).
All the colors of the spectrum that diamonds exist in are represented in various shapes, saturations and modifiers including blue diamonds, pink diamonds, red diamonds, green diamonds, orange diamonds, purple diamonds, violet diamonds, yellow diamonds, olive diamonds and brown diamonds. Also represented are color changing chameleon diamonds. Aurora Pyramid of Hope was put together by Alan Bronstein and Harry Rodman over 25 years.
Aurora Pyramid of Hope is currently on display at The Natural History Museum of London.
The Aurora Butterfly of Peace diamond collection is an artwork consisting of 240 natural, fancy colored diamonds weighing a combined total of 167 carats (33 g). This diamond mosaic, designed as a butterfly, was created over a period of 12 years by Alan Bronstein and Harry Rodman. The diamonds were collected and assembled one stone at a time, and today serve as a tribute to the universally beloved butterfly. The Aurora Butterfly of Peace was conceived by the artists as an eternal icon of love, beauty, energy, nature, peace. It symbolizes a spiritual connection to earth for all mankind. From November 2004 thru July 2005, the Butterfly of Peace was exhibited in the National Gem Collection Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.
A smaller version of the Butterfly of Peace was displayed at The Houston Museum of Natural Science from June 1994 thru March 1996. The Aurora Butterfly of Peace was on display from May 25th to July 30, 2008 at the Museum of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), to help launch “The Facets of the GIA” exhibit, which showcases the prominent role of the Institute in the world of gemology.
Two research studies involving the Butterfly of Peace have resulted in new scientific breakthroughs about fluorescence and phosphorescence in fancy colored diamonds. The amazing phenomena of fluorescence can be seen as a skeletal pattern of glowing colors when the diamonds are exposed to ultraviolet light. There are rare and unusual color diamonds that make up the design including purples from Russia, blues and oranges from South Africa, lime greens from Brazil, violets and dozens of pinks from the Argyle Mine in Australia."
Ashberg Diamond is an amber-colored, cushion-shaped diamond weighing 102.48 carats (20.50 g), was formerly part of the Russian Crown Jewels.
This is believed to be mined in South Africa, because of its characteristics
The Amsterdam Diamond is a black diamond weighing 33.74 carats (6.75 g), and has 42 facets. It is in a pear shape, and cut from a 55.85 carats (11.17 g) rough. It was sold in 2001 for $352,000, thus making it the highest price paid for a black diamond at auction.
The Amarillo Starlight is the largest diamond found by a park visitor in the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas since 1972, when it was established as a state park. The Amarillo Starlight was found by W. W. Johnson of Amarillo, Texas in 1975 while he was vacationing at the park with his family. When unearthed, it was a 16.37 carats (3.27 g) white diamond, but it has since been cut into a 7.54 carats (1,510 mg) marquise shape. Its price is estimated between $150,000 and $175,000.
The Allnatt Diamond is a diamond measuring 101.29 carats (20.258 g) with a cushion cut, rated in color as Fancy Vivid Yellow by the Gemological Institute of America. This diamond is named after one of its holders, Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt, a soldier, sportsman, art patron and benefactor. While it is not known precisely where the Allnatt originated, many experts believe that it was probably found in what is now known as the De Beers Premier Diamond Mine.
The Allnatt's origins are unknown prior to Major Allnatt's purchasing of the diamond in the early 1950s. After purchasing the diamond, he commissioned Cartier to make a setting for it. The final setting was a plhjugfryulrgyulgrkugruyeqguykr with five petals, a stem and two leaves, all set with diamonds. The Allnatt was resold at auction in May 1996 by Christie's in Geneva for $3,043,496 US. At the time of its sale the Allnatt was 102.07 carats (20.41 g). and was graded Fancy Intense Yellow. After being sold to the SIBA Corporation, the diamond was re-cut to its current weight and the intensity was upgraded as a result.
The Allnatt was displayed as part of the Smithsonian's "The Splendor of Diamonds" exhibit, alongside The De Beers Millennium Star and The Heart of Eternity.
Aquamarine (Lat. aqua marina, "water of the sea") is a gemstone-quality transparent variety of beryl, having a delicate blue or turquoise color, suggestive of the tint of seawater. It is closely related to the gem emerald. Colors vary, and in addition to blue, yellow beryl (heliodor), rose pink beryl (morganite), red beryl (formerly bixbite), and white beryl (goshenite) are also to be found.
Composition
Aquamarine is a beryl with a hexagonal crystal structure and a chemical formula of Be3Al2(SiO3)6, a beryllium aluminium silicate mineral. It has a specific gravity of 2.68 to 2.74 and a Mohs hardness of from 7.5 to 8. Aquamarine typically is on the low end of the specific gravity range, normally at less than 2.7. The pink variety exhibits a high specific gravity of around 2.8. Refractive indices range around 1.57 to 1.58.
Locations of deposits
It occurs at most localities which yield ordinary beryl, some of the finest coming from Russia. The gem-gravel placer deposits of Sri Lanka contain aquamarine. Clear yellow beryl, such as occurs in Brazil, is sometimes called aquamarine chrysolite. When corundum presents the bluish tint of typical aquamarine, it is often termed Oriental aquamarine.
In the United States, aquamarines can be found at the summit of Mt. Antero in the Sawatch Range in central Colorado. In Wyoming, aquamarine has been discovered in the Big Horn mountains, near Powder River Pass. In Brazil, there are mines in the states of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and Bahia. Colombia, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya also produce aquamarine.
The biggest aquamarine ever mined was found at the city of Marambaia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1910. It weighed over 110 kg, and its dimensions were 48.5 cm long and 42 cm in diameter
Perfection is to be found in this stone: a blue diamond sold at $7.98 million, establishing a new record as the most expensive gemstone per carat bought at auction. The buyer is Moussaieff Jewellers of London, a specialist in rare stones and the stone was sold by a private Asian collector at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong.
The 8 minute bidding for the emerald-cut 6.04 carat diamond resulted in its sale for $1.32 million per carat, far higher than the previous record of $926,000 per carat, set by a red emerald-cut diamond, Hancock Red, sold in New York two decades ago.
A carat means 0.2 g. The world's biggest blue diamond is the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond. Still, this is the biggest and rarest vivid blue diamond on offer since Sotheby's Hong Kong auction in 2004, when a similar stone was sold for $ 4.2 million. The rare, vivid blue color of the diamond is said to be induced by the presence of an element called boron in its crystal structure.
"The bidding was fast and furious and you know it's not as if one could go out and buy another one," said Quek Chin Yeow, head of Jewellery Asia at Sotheby's.
"It's as rare as getting a Renoir or a wonderful Rothko. When you look at the stone, it sings. The blue sings. The cutting is wonderful. It has just got such beauty and I mean the fact that it's flawless, it's just an amazing " he said.
The demand for colored diamonds among jewellery collectors is high in Europe, the United States and Asia and blue diamonds come mainly from the Premier Mine in South Africa.
The total sale in Hong Kong's Monday auction was estimated at $ 40.8 million.
An emerald rope-necklace owned by the American songwriter and lyricist Irving Berlin also sold for $2.64 million, including commission, at yesterday's sale.