Elusive Diamonds From The Valuable Nizam Collection
The Nizams of Hyderabad had direct access to the Golconda diamond mines, which were among the richest and most productive in the world. These mines produced legendary diamonds known for their exceptional clarity, large size, and colorless purity, making them highly sought after by royals and collectors across the globe.
Some of the diamonds and precious gems that belonged to the Nizams of Hyderabad, including those from the time of the first Nizam, were never officially put up for sale or auction through reputed platforms like Sotheby’s or Christie’s. These royal treasures were part of one of the richest private collections in the world.
Many of the valuable diamonds from the Nizam’s collection, were never traced but, it would not be right to say that those were all stolen! In those times, gifting, bartering, and even recutting diamonds was quite common. Formal documentation or consistent record-keeping wasn’t a priority or practice.
Over centuries, many diamonds changed hands, were renamed, or even vanished from public record.
Diamonds owned by early Nizams, including Asaf Jah I, might have been absorbed silently into other royal treasuries or private collections. The lavish turban ornaments of the first Nizam have been widely talked about. Stories of a pink diamond and a vivid blue diamond, in turban ornaments worn on special occasions by Asaf Jah 1, have been heard in recent years. Interestingly neither of these diamonds have made an appearance, at any highly publicized auction.
The mention of a blue diamond from the Golconda mines, that might have been set in a turban ornament worn by the first Nizam, has raised interest in recent times. Referred to as the Seraphim Blue Diamond, it is believed to be in the collection of a European diamond collector. There is never a shortage of excitement when the talk is about, a historic diamond from the Golconda mines but serious collectors and reputed auction houses, will generally believe mothing unless, official documentation is made available.
