The Louvre heist brings Golconda diamonds in the spotlight

On Sunday, October 19, 2025, the world’s most famous museum became the scene of a real-life thriller. Paris’ The Louvre’s Apollo Gallery, home to priceless crown jewels and some of the most extraordinary diamonds ever mined, was brazenly targeted by masked thieves. Using a mechanical ladder and cutting through reinforced glass panes, the robbers reached the gallery around 9:30 a.m. local time and disappeared in 7 minutes with their haul.

What makes this heist especially fascinating is the connection to Andhra Pradesh’s Golconda mines, historically the source of some of the world’s most coveted diamonds. Several of these legendary stones, including the Regent, Hortensia, and Sancy, are housed in the Apollo Gallery of the Louvre.

Golconda diamonds on display at the Louvre
The most famous of the Golconda gems in the Apollo Gallery is the Regent Diamond, weighing 140 carats. This legendary stone was once embedded in Napoleon’s coronation sword and has a dramatic history. It was smuggled out of India by an enslaved man, who hid the diamond in his leg to secure his escape, only to be fatally attacked by the merchant who purchased it. Despite its storied past and supposed curse, officials have confirmed that the Regent was not stolen during the recent heist, according to the BBC.

Another historic gem, the Hortensia Diamond, is a 20-carat pink diamond renowned for its rare hue. Its status following the robbery remains uncertain, adding a layer of intrigue to the heist.

Beyond these, several other diamonds in the Apollo Gallery, including those set in tiaras and necklaces, are believed to have been mined in Golconda, India. During the 18th and 19th centuries, India was the world’s largest supplier of natural diamonds, and these stones reflect the country’s historic significance in the global luxury and jewellery world.

Indian internet calls for reclamation
The Louvre heist has reignited conversations about repatriation, which means the idea of returning cultural treasures to their countries of origin. India, with its centuries-old legacy of diamond mining and craftsmanship, has seen many of its prized Golconda gems travel to European royal collections.

Since news of the robbery broke, netizens on X and Instagram have been vocal about India reclaiming its historic treasures. Posts and threads highlight the legendary journey of diamonds like the Regent, Hortensia, and more from the mines of Golconda to European royal courts. Many users argue that these jewels are not just luxury items but symbols of India’s rich heritage that belong at home. Others have called the heist a reminder of why cultural artefacts should be protected, and, if possible, returned to their country of origin.

Source: DCLA

6.95-Carat Pink Diamond to Headline Vanderbilt Family Jewels Auction in Geneva

A spectacular 6.95-carat fancy vivid purplish pink Golconda diamond will lead The Geneva Jewels Auction: V, as Phillips Geneva prepares to offer an extraordinary collection of jewels once owned by the legendary Vanderbilt family, once America’s richest dynasty.

Among the highlights is a Tiffany & Co. 42.68-carat sugarloaf Kashmir sapphire and diamond brooch, estimated at US$1 million to US$1.5 million, alongside a step-cut Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring weighing 18.09 carats (estimate US$2.2 million to US$2.8 million). The sale also features a stunning pair of brilliant-cut diamond ear studs, weighing 8.00 and 8.28 carats, both graded D colour, VVS1 clarity, with an estimate of US$600,000 to US$850,000.

The Vanderbilt name is synonymous with immense wealth and American industrial power. The family’s fortune began with Cornelius Vanderbilt, who, at age 16, borrowed $100 from his mother to start a ferry service in 1810. He later built a shipping and railroad empire that made him the richest man in the United States, worth about $100 million at his death in 1877 — equivalent to at least $185 billion today.

His son, William Henry Vanderbilt, further doubled that fortune to over $200 million (around $370 billion in today’s terms). However, the family’s wealth gradually dispersed over subsequent generations, with the combined net worth of the Vanderbilt descendants now estimated at around $200 million.

The Geneva Jewels Auction: V, featuring The Vanderbilt Family Jewels, will take place on 10 November at Phillips Geneva, marking a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces linked to one of America’s most storied families.

Source: DCLA

The Golconda Blue: The Largest Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Ever Seen at Auction

Christie’s is preparing to showcase something truly extraordinary — The Golconda Blue, a 23.24 carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, set to headline the Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva on 14 May. Held at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, this remarkable stone carries an estimate of between $35 million and $50 million.

Mounted in a ring designed by the legendary JAR, The Golconda Blue is not only the largest Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever offered at auction — it’s also one of the rarest and most historically significant diamonds in existence.

Its journey through history is as dazzling as the stone itself. Originally owned by Yeshwant Rao Holkar, the Maharaja of Indore — a prominent patron of art and fine jewellery in the 1920s and 1930s — the diamond was first set into a bracelet by Chaumet in 1923. A decade later, Mauboussin transformed it into a necklace worn by the Maharani, immortalised in a striking portrait by Bernard Boutet de Monvel.

In 1947, the diamond was acquired by none other than Harry Winston, who later sold it as a brooch to the Maharaja of Baroda. After years of being held privately, The Golconda Blue is now returning to the public eye for the first time in decades.

Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s international head of jewellery, called it “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” noting the auction house’s long history with legendary Golconda diamonds such as the Archduke Joseph, the Princie, and the Wittelsbach.

The term Golconda itself refers to the legendary diamond mines of Eastern India, famous for producing some of the world’s most luminous, transparent, and pure gems. Among them are historic stones like the Koh-i-Noor, the Hope Diamond, and the Darya-i-Nur — and now, The Golconda Blue joins this rarefied list.

This sale is not just about a diamond. It’s about history, heritage, and the timeless allure of one of nature’s most breathtaking creations.

Source: DCLA