Rare Golconda diamonds and Mughal artefacts to be auctioned

[foxinsox]

https://www.thenewsminute.com/artic...al-artefacts-be-auctioned-new-york-103343?amp
The rivière and the pink

 

[Austina]

*thud*

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

Yep, "double thud"
Thanks for the link, @foxinsox

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

If I ever win lotto I'm pretty sure I know how I'm spending most of the money

 

[AGBF]

Thanks for the link, foxinsox. I have been fascinated by Golconda diamonds for years. I am not sure if everything the advertisement says about them (Golconda diamonds in general) is factual. For example, this phrase did not sound especially scientific.

"Other coveted diamonds put on auction at Christie’s earlier include the Evening Star, an old-mine pear-shaped cut stone famous for its transparency, one of the salient features of the Golconda diamonds. In the diamond trade, it is widely accepted that all diamonds displaying this special luminousness are of Indian origin."

I am not questioning the provenance of the diamonds being sold. I am merely stating that there is more to identifying a diamond that is actually from a Golconda mine than it having "this special luminousness".

Here are some links to threads in which Golconda diamonds are discussed.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-are-golconda-diamonds.33045/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/does-anybody-buy-d-colors-anymore.10255/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/golconda-diamond.23525/

 

[OoohShiny]

I know @diagem is interested in Golconda stones and the history of them - perhaps he might be bidding lol

 

[OoohShiny]

Thanks for the link, foxinsox. I have been fascinated by Golconda diamonds for years. I am not sure if everything the advertisement says about them (Golconda diamonds in general) is factual. For example, this phrase did not sound especially scientific.

"Other coveted diamonds put on auction at Christie’s earlier include the Evening Star, an old-mine pear-shaped cut stone famous for its transparency, one of the salient features of the Golconda diamonds. In the diamond trade, it is widely accepted that all diamonds displaying this special luminousness are of Indian origin."

I am not questioning the provenance of the diamonds being sold. I am merely stating that there is more to identifying a diamond that is actually from a Golconda mine than it having "this special luminousness".

Here are some links to threads in which Golconda diamonds are discussed.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-are-golconda-diamonds.33045/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/does-anybody-buy-d-colors-anymore.10255/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/golconda-diamond.23525/

I have read a couple of things recently that seemed to suggest depth of creation could be influencing structure (and hence clarity) but Garry has suggested that Type IIa (which may or may not be created deeper in the earth??) are not automatically 'magically' clearer than other diamond types, which was kind of what I was tilting at when I asked the question!
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-diamonds-for-the-better.249285/#post-4557615

 

[AV_]

.


This is one auction worth browsing - www

#273 / 16474 J. IIa

& an intriguing star pavilion on a brilliant - #17

 

[partgypsy]

Wow. It would be so neat just to see those diamonds and artifacts. Really Indiana Jones-like treasures.

 

[OoohShiny]

@Matthews1127 next diamond? lol

https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Jewelry/mirror-of-paradisea-diamond-ring-6211966-details.aspx

'MIRROR OF PARADISE'
A DIAMOND RING
Rectangular-cut diamond of 52.58 carats, tapered baguette-cut diamonds, platinum, ring size 7 ¼

GIA, 2019, report no. 1132889310: 52.58 carats, D color, Internally Flawless clarity, Type IIa
Gübelin, 2013, report no. 13090169: 52.58 carats, D color, Internally Flawless clarity, Type IIa, appendix and 'Golconda' letter

Provenance

Christie's, New York, 20 April 1988, lot 308
Christie's, New York, 10 December 2013, lot 496

This pear is quite nice too...
https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Jewelry/the-arcot-ii-6211836-details.aspx

'THE ARCOT II'
Pear brilliant-cut diamond of 17.21 carats
GIA, 2019, report no. 1132471891: 17.21 carats, D color, Internally Flawless clarity, Type IIa
Gübelin, 2012, report no. 12020074: 17.21 carats, D color, Internally Flawless clarity, Type IIa, appendix and 'Golconda' letter

Provenance

Muhammad Ali Wallajah, Nawab of Arcot (1717-1795)
Queen Charlotte (1744-181, consort of George III, King of Great Britain
George, Prince Regent (1762-1830), later George IV, King of Great Britain, by descent
Rundell & Bridge, London
Auction by Sharp, London, 20 July 1837
Emanuel Brothers, Bevis Mark, London
Robert Grovesnor, 1st Marquess of Westminster (1767-1845)
Hugh Grovesnor, 2nd Duke of Westminster (1879-1953), by descent
Sotheby’s, London, 25 June 1959, lot 20
Harry Winston
Baroness Stefania von Kories zu Goetzen (1939-2013)
Private Collection