The Golconda diamond mines were famed for producing some of the world’s finest white and blue diamonds, stones that set unmatched benchmarks for purity, color, and brilliance. Many of the most celebrated diamonds in history trace their origins to these legendary mines. With active mining in the Golconda region having ceased more than three centuries ago, the natural supply of authentic Golconda diamonds has dwindled to a low trickle, dramatically enhancing their rarity and desirability.
In recent years, experts have observed a growing trend among diamond owners and high-value collectors to keep such exceptional assets away from public attention. Increasingly, discreet private sales and confidential transfers are being favored over highly publicized, media-driven auctions. This shift reflects not only a desire for privacy but also a strategic approach to preserving value, exclusivity, and long-term legacy in an evolving global diamond market.
KOH-I-NOOR DIAMOND (105.6 carats)
Possibly the most famous diamond in the world, the Koh-i-Noor (13th century) was unearthed from the Golconda region and has been part of conflicting royal legacies across Persia, India, and Britain. Originally weighing far more — reputedly over 700 carats in the rough — it was recut several times over the centuries before, reaching its modern polished weight of about 105.6 carats. Today it forms part of the British Crown Jewels
Its legendary status stems from a blend of imperial history and mythology — it was a symbol of power among Mughal emperors, Persian shahs, and Sikh maharajas before becoming a British regalia centerpiece. The name Koh-i-Noor literally translates to “Mountain of Light,” a testament to its dazzling quality.
HOPE DIAMOND (45.52 carats)
Likely to be the best-known blue diamond in modern popular culture, the Hope Diamond (17th century) is believed to be a descendant of the 17th-century Tavernier Blue, a Golconda stone brought by French gem merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier to Europe. Weighed as rough at over 100 carats, it was recut and eventually reduced to 45.52 carats. The deep-blue gem carries a storied history of ownership, theft, and legend, and is now displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C
Its vivid color is caused by trace boron, and over time it has inspired countless tales of a “curse,” although much of that is modern mythologizing. The Hope Diamond exemplifies how a Golconda stone moved from Indian royalty into European aristocratic circles and finally into a public institution.
DARIA-I-NOOR (Approx 177 – 182 carats)
The Daria-i-Noor (17th century) is one of the largest pink diamonds in the world and a rare product of the Golconda mines. Weighing around 182 carats, it has a soft pale pink hue that makes it exceptionally rare among natural diamonds.
Originally part of the Mughal treasury, it eventually became part of the Iranian Crown Jewels after being taken to Persia in the 18th century. Its sheer size and color rarity make it one of the most extraordinary examples of what Golconda produced: scintillating diamonds that are almost unheard of elsewhere in nature.
REGENT DIAMOND (Approx 137.74 – 140.64 carats)
Discovered in the Golconda region at the end of the 18th century, the Regent Diamond is celebrated both for its quality and its role in French royal history. Originally a large rough stone, it was cut to around 140.64 carats and became part of France’s royal treasury.
It graced King Louis XV’s crown and later appeared in Napoleon Bonaparte’s sword hilt before entering the collection of the Louvre Museum, where it remains on display. Its near-flawless clarity and graceful proportions have made it a benchmark for classical European diamond cutting.
ORLOV DIAMOND (Approx 182.41 – 189.62 cararts)
Often associated with or possibly part of the legendary Great Mogul Diamond, the Orlov Diamond (18th century) is a rose-cut gem with an almost egg-like shape and an estimated weight of around 189.62 carats. It was acquired by Count Grigory Orlov and presented to Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, where it was eventually set into the Russian Imperial Sceptre.
Whether or not it originated as the Great Mogul itself remains debated by historians, but its size, cut, and storied European imperial journey make it one of the most dramatic of all Golconda legends.
JACOB DIAMOND (184.75 carats)
The Jacob Diamond, also known as the Imperial Diamond, is a large colorless Golconda diamond that weighs 184.75 carats. It was discovered in the late 19th century and eventually acquired by the Nizam of Hyderabad, who reportedly used it as a paperweight for a time.
Now part of the Government of India’s collection and kept under high security, the Jacob Diamond is famed for its size and purity — typifying Golconda’s capacity to produce large, high-quality Type IIa diamonds that rival or exceed many modern finds.
IDOL’S EYE (70.21 carats)
The Idol’s Eye Diamond is a 70.21-carat very light blue Golconda diamond with a distinctive tabular free-form cut and inscription. Its name comes from a legend that it was stolen from the eye of a Hindu idol.
First recorded around 1600, it passed through a number of royal and private hands — including Ottoman and European owners — before landing in modern collections. Its color and unusual cut distinguish it among Golconda’s historical output.
SERAPHIM BLUE DIAMOND (Approx 6 – 8 carats)
Unlike most historic Golconda diamonds that appear in museum collections or royal treasuries, the Seraphim Blue Diamond (18th century) is enigmatic. Reported to weigh between 6 and 8 carats, it was once set in an elaborate turban ornament worn by the first Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah I.
For centuries it was lost to public view, but recent reports suggest it has surfaced in a private collection. The Seraphim Blue Diamond has raised interest among collectors and traders of fine diamonds but, the current owner seems to have little interest in selling or seeking, public attention for this historically significant Golconda diamond.
Because it has never been auctioned or publicly displayed, the blue diamond retains an aura of mystery.
SHAH DIAMOND (88.7 carats)
Unearthed around the mid-15th century, the Shah Diamond currently weighs 88.7 carats after losing some weight during cutting. It’s unusual for Golconda gems because it bears Persian inscriptions on its surface — a rare feature in diamond history.
Once owned by various rulers, it eventually entered the Diamond Fund of the Moscow Kremlin Armory, where it remains. While not as colorful as some Golconda stones, its historical annotation makes it uniquely valuable.
GOLCONDA BLUE DIAMOND (23.24 carats)
The Golconda Blue Diamond (20th century) is one of the most talked-about stones in recent gem news. A fancy vivid blue pear-shaped diamond weighing 23.24 carats, it was set to headline a high-profile Christie’s auction in April–May 2025 with an estimated value of US$35–50 million.
With a royal Indian provenance — once belonging to Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore — the auction was widely publicized but ultimately cancelled just weeks before the scheduled sale, causing both surprise and disappointment across the high-end diamond market. Even without sale results, its rarity — as one of the few vivid blue Golconda stones still in private hands — underscores why even rumors of such diamonds trigger intense interest.
QUICK NOTES
The above list does not arrange the famed Golconda diamonds in any specific order. The extreme rarity of diamonds with a Golconda origin, makes every Golconda diamond a true legend. These Top 10 Golconda Diamonds represent not only extraordinary geological phenomena — including Type IIa clarity, rare colors, and large carat weights — but also centuries of imperial history, intrigue, and international provenance.
From the Koh-i-Noor’s place in British regalia to the Hope Diamond’s global museum fame, each stone carries stories of conquest, wealth, artistry, and sometimes mystery. The Seraphim Blue and Golconda Blue remind us that even in the 21st century, Golconda’s legacy continues to captivate collectors and the public alike, with rarity and history fueling fascination across generations.
