The+regent+diamond

The Regent Diamond

Discovered in Golconda, India, around the 1700’s, comes the most finest diamond in the world, the regent diamond. Political, social, and personal accompanies get this gem to its last resting place while greed, remorse, and even murder all contribute to play a role to get there. It is said to have been discovered by a slave in a mine in India.

The story with the slave says that he found it and tried to hide it when he realized the potential value in it. He hid it in a large self-inflicted wound inside his leg covered by bandages. He secretly showed the diamond to his sea captain and the slave offered half the price it was worth in return for a safe passage to a free country. Throughout the voyage the sea captain stole it from the slave, murdered him, and sold it to an Indian diamond merchant. Later, the beautiful gem was acquired by Thomas Pitt for a very high price because the stone immediately attracted him. It was 426 carats before it was cut for two years in England ,which cost around $25,000. While the stone was being cut, it produced many secondary stones which were sold for around $35,000, and after its cut, it ended up around 141 carats. After being cut, the angles, formed by facets, were perfectly shaped reflecting the lights with even more brilliance and intensity than before. By 1719, it tripled in value.

The stone was first worn by Louis XV in 1721, and then was temporarily mounted to the kings crown for a ceremony. After his marriage, Louis XV placed it on his crown which continued until his reign. Then, a new crown was made similar from Louis XV’s for Louis XVI’s where the Regent was placed on the front. The Regent had also been stolen in 1792, found that same year, and used as security on many occasions. In 1801, it was redeemed by Napolean Bonaparte for his sword. Then in 1812, it appeared on the emperor's sword. Finally after being worn by many coronations of kings, it was mounted on the Grecian Diadem of Empress Eugénie.

In 1887, many French crown jewels were sent at auction, except for The Regent, which was reserved and exhibited for the Louvre. It was secreted behind a stone panel in the Chateau country from the Germans invading Paris in 1940, and after the war, the diamond was returned to Paris. It was returned on display in the Louvre where its sometimes called “the millionaire diamond” instead of the regent diamond.