A rare 23.24-carat blue diamond known as the ‘Golconda Blue’, once part of the treasured possessions of Indian royalty, is set to be auctioned on May 14 at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva. The diamond is expected to fetch up to Rs 430 crore, according to sources familiar with the auction.
The diamond, known for its exceptional colour, clarity, and provenance, was previously owned by the Maharajas of Indore and Baroda. Believed to have originated from the famed Kollur mines in present-day Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, the Golconda Blue is regarded as one of the rarest blue diamonds in the world.
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Historical records indicate that Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II of Indore once possessed the diamond. In 1923, the gem was set in a bracelet by his father. It was later incorporated into a necklace crafted with pear-shaped Indore diamonds. The diamond is also visible in a well-known portrait of the Indore Maharani by French artist Bernard Boutet de Monvel.
In 1947, the diamond was acquired by New York-based jeweller Harry Winston and subsequently passed into the hands of the Maharaja of Baroda. It is currently owned by a private collector.
Auctioneers note that the diamond’s rarity, royal lineage, and distinctive deep blue hue are likely to attract intense global interest at the upcoming sale.