A few diamond traders claim to have seen the Seraphim Blue Diamond, observations about its size being in the 6 to 8 carat size range are not new. A number of reports claim to have analyzed turban ornaments during the time of the first few Nizams and came up with that size range. Tracing the fine blue diamond to Asaf Jah 1 the first Nizam of Hyderabad, the narration was that the Nizam wore the Seraphim Blue Diamond in a high value turban ornament. The time frame being referred to would be around 1724.
THE DIAMOND TURBAN ORNAMENT
Diamond experts did not seem to doubt the story behind the Seraphim Blue Diamond. The wait was for official certifications to support the story. The report about a few diamond traders, getting a chance to see the Seraphim Blue Diamond, did not surprise many. Confusion is likely to appear in a different form, this from hardcore diamond followers.
It was claimed that the blue diamond was the center stone, in a lavish turban ornament worn by Asaf Jah 1 only on special occasions. The appearance of the Seraphim Blue Diamond as a loose stone, raises questions about the turban ornament theory.
THE ROLE OF ASAF JAH 2
To understand if and why the Seraphim Blue Diamond, was separated from the turban ornament – it is important to read the numerous reports that appeared months ago. A common narration across reports was that, as the second Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah 2 handed over the blue diamond to the French.
Had that handover been done as a gesture of goodwill, the Seraphim Bue Diamond would have very likely remained in the original royal turban ornament. It is widely claimed that, the French promised to provide military support to the Nizam, in return for, the Seraphim Blue Diamond. It is not known whether, the blue diamond was the entire payment made for the military deal – or formed just part of the payment.
The French royals relied on diamond experts, to inspect the diamonds and precious gems that entered the French treasury. The Seraphim Blue Diamond, would have been dismounted to inspect and value the precious stone. The turban ornament was just a few decades old at that time, the real attraction and value was obviously in the diamond.
DIAMOND CHANGES HANDS
For the French the Seraphim Blue Diamond was surely just a high value possession, a treasure that could be sold at the right price. Private transfers and sales are likely to have put the blue diamond, through a number of transactions. The high price would have limited buyers to aristocrats and royals, these buyers typically prefer to remain anonymous.
The Seraphim Blue Diamond has remained elusive for centuries. The fact that details of the diamond are being released, after a very long time could indicate that, the present owner is likely to put the historic blue diamond up for sale.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE DIAMOND
What we have now is an amazing story about what is best described as a legendary Golconda diamond. An enviable provenance that links the diamond to one of the most talked about diamond mines and royalty – in the form of the Nizams.
Official documentation and certifications from a reputed diamond testing laboratory, is what the experts would be looking for. A Golconda diamond with a connection to the Mughals or the Nizams, is always welcome at a high profile auction.
