With an extraordinary weight of 23,24 carats, this superb historic gem will star in the auction “Magnificent jewels"of Christie's, which will be held live on 14 May 2025 al Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, estimated at $35-50 million.
The Golconda Blue, perfectly set in a JAR ring, is a true masterpiece thanks to its recently discovered royal provenance, its hypnotic color and its sensational dimensions.
Extraordinary Indian origin
This exceptional pear-shaped Golconda diamond boasts a origin that has its roots in the Indian royal family. Yeshwant Rao Holkar, Maharaja of Indore and a member of the Holkar dynasty, was known, along with his wife, for living a lifestyle of elegance and cosmopolitan sophistication in the 20s and 30s. A Knight of the Order of the Indian Empire, the Maharaja spent much of his time abroad, cultivating a strong affinity for Western art, design and jewellery. In 1913, his father purchased the famous Indore Pear diamonds from Chaumet, marking the beginning of a long-lasting relationship with the historic Parisian house. In 1923, during another visit to Chaumet, he commissioned a diamond bracelet set with his 23-carat pear-shaped blue Golconda diamond.
Yeshwant Rao Holkar also collaborated with other iconic jewelers, including Harry Winston
In 1946, Mr. Winston purchased the Indore Pears from the Maharaja and the following year, in January 1947, he purchased this 23-carat blue diamond. Winston set it in a brooch along with a matching 23-carat white diamond, which he sold to the Maharaja of Baroda. The brooch was later repurchased by Mr. Winston and resold as a newly designed piece of jewelry to its current owner. Now, over a century later, this legendary blue diamond is being auctioned for the first time, set in a stunning contemporary ring by celebrated Parisian designer JAR.
The legacy of Golconda diamonds begins with a reference found in a 327th century Sanskrit manuscript. In 1292 BC, Alexander the Great brought diamonds from India to Europe, sparking the West’s enduring fascination with these rare gems. In XNUMX AD, Marco Polo described the mesmerizing beauty of Indian diamonds in his travel writings. Today, the Golconda Blue is not only a natural wonder, but also a historic gem, with provenance spanning continents, dynasties and centuries.
