Kohinoor Diamond

The Kohinoor, India's most talked about gem, is still considered one of the most valuable gems in the world. It was mined from the Golconda mine in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. At the time of mining, the Kohinoor weighed 793 carats. However, in 1852, it was cut and reduced in size in Britain. The Kohinoor is embedded in the crown of the British Queen. It is believed that the value of this diamond could feed the entire world for two and a half days.

The Kohinoor diamond had been hidden from the world for a long time. It was discovered in the 17th century. At that time, its weight was 157 carats. A few years later, it was cut and reduced to 95 carats. This diamond was initially owned by Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh. Later, she gave it to the British.

The Great Mughal Gem

The Great Mughal Diamond was also mined in the same place (Golconda) where the Kohinoor was found in 1650. At that time, it weighed 787 carats. It was six times heavier than the Kohinoor. No one knows who owns the Mughal Diamond now. However, many believe that it was cut into the Orlov Diamond, which is on display in the Diamond Fund collection at the Kremlin Armoury in Moscow.

How did the Regent Diamond end up in Napoleon's hands?

The Regent Diamond was also mined in the Golconda mine in 1702. This 410-carat diamond passed through the hands of William Pitt, the then Governor of Madras, and reached Napoleon after the French Revolution. The diamond is now safely stored in the Louvre Museum in Paris.