Diamonds with provenance tracing back to the Golconda diamond mines are highly sought after due to their exceptional qualities and rich historical significance. The Golconda region, in present-day Telangana, India, was home to some of the earliest and most legendary diamond mines in the world.
Arranging historic Golconda diamonds chronologically in the order in which they were first seen or recorded reveals some fascinating insights into the trade, ownership, and migration of legendary gems. It reflects the changing centers of power, global fascination with Indian diamonds, and the influence of colonization and diplomacy.
Each diamond’s “first appearance” marks a point in history when it intersected with recorded civilization — a footprint of its journey through empires and collectors. The Top 10 Golconda diamonds, listed in ascending order of their first appearance, includes some interesting updates. Explanations have been provided in this report.
Koh-i-Noor Diamond 1300s.
The Koh-i-Noor Diamond was first seen in the 1300s or even earlier. Surely one of the very first Golconda diamonds to be seen. The provenance of this legendary diamond includes ownership by Kakatiya, Mughal, Persian, Afghan, Sikh, and British rulers. The Kohi-i-Noor Diamond is now part of the British Crown Jewels.
The Regent Diamond 1698.
The Regent Diamond another well known Golconda diamond, was said to have been found by a slave. Reference to the Regent Diamond was first made in 1698, when it was sold to Regent of France. The Golconda diamond is now in Louvre.
The Seraphim Blue Diamond (around 1724).
The Seraphim Blue Diamond, with fairly clear information now available from multiple sources – this is the diamond, that adorned the lavish turban ornament worn by Asaf Jah 1, the first Nizam of Hyderabad. It was in the year 1724 that, Asaf Jah 1 proclaimed himself to be the first Nizam of Hyderabad. Most reports claim that the second Nizam who was Asaf Jah 2, handed over the Seraphim Blue Diamond to the French – this in return for military support. It is claimed that a few diamond experts, have seen the diamond in a European/Russian collection.
The Darya-i-Noor Diamond 1729.
The Darya-i-Noor Diamond which originated in the Golconda mines, is a large (pale) pink diamond. It was first seen in 1729 when it was taken to Persia. The diamond is now part of the Iranian crown jewels. A very small portion of the diamonds from the Golconda diamond mines, had a fancy color – blue or pink. And while pink Golconda diamonds are very much rarer than, blue diamonds originating from that region, the pink diamonds from these mines show a rather pale shade of pink. The Darya-i-Noor pink diamond is a good example of that.
The Hope Diamond 1790s / 1666.
The Hope Diamond was cut during the 1790s, which was the post-French Revolution period. While this blue Golconda diamond was cut in the 1790s, it was first seen in rough form in around 1666. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier described the Tavernier Blue Diamond, which was cut to deliver the Hope Diamond and a few other diamonds.
The Orlov Diamond 1774.
The Orlov Diamond made its first appearance in Russia in the year 1774. The diamond had its origin traced to famed diamond mines in the Golconda region, after it was verified that – the diamond was stolen from a temple in India. The Orlov Diamond was originally placed in the eye of an idol in the temple. The Golconda diamond is now part of the Russian Imperial Sceptre.
The Golconda Blue Diamond (early 1900s).
Christie’s was set to auction the 23.24-carat Golconda Blue Diamond — with a storied royal Indian provenance — at its Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva on May 14, 2025. Just days before the auction, the owners withdrew the diamond, choosing instead to sell it privately within their family, not at public sale. The Golconda Blue Diamond had, deep roots in prestigious Indian royalty – once owned by the Holkar dynasty of Indore in India. As per the details released by Christie’s this blue diamond from the Golconda mines, was acquired by Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar III of Indore in the early 1900s. The diamond is currently part of a private collection.
The Tereshchenko Diamond 1913.
The first reference to The Tereshchenko Diamond was made in 1913, Ukrainian industrialist Mykhailo Tereshchenko deposited the rough stone with Cartier in Paris. It appeared at a Christie’s auction in 1984, where Robert Mouawad purchased it for approximately $4.6 million (about 10 million Swiss francs). The Tereshchenko Diamond was renamed to the Mouawad Blue, it remains in the Mouawad private collection. Christie’s after checking the credentials of the diamond, publicized it as a diamond that came from the mines in the Golconda region.
NOTES
Golconda diamonds command premium prices, often far exceeding their intrinsic gemological value. Collectors, museums, and connoisseurs regard Golconda provenance as a hallmark of prestige and rarity.
Diamond connoisseurs are always keen to add rare Golconda diamonds to their collection. Since commercial mining in the Golconda region has stopped centuries ago, it is not common for these diamonds to come up for a public sale or auction. Of the diamonds mentioned above, diamond collectors pin their hopes on the Seraphim Blue Diamond which has never been auctioned and the, Golconda Blue Diamond which was pulled out of a scheduled auction in May 2025.
Highlighting the above two Golconda diamonds because, the possibility of any of the other mentioned diamonds being offered for sale – is extremely close to nil!
