The Regent Diamond

The stone that made a really long journey.

The world famous diamond called the Regent has a stunning past. Discover its breathtaking history, which stands over 300 years.

India

Discovered in 1698, this rough stone weighted 426 ct. Having such an impressive weight, it immediately caught the attention of multiple merchants across British-ruled India.

Great Britain

In 1701, it was purchased by the President of Madras (a state in India) and sent to London in a shoe heel of his eldest son, Robert. Unfortunately, the name of the jeweler who cut the 141 ct cushion-cut Diamond from this raw stone is still unknown.

France

Surprisingly, the European royalty wasn’t interested in the purchase of this brilliant gem for several year. Eventually, French Regent Philippe II decided to buy it for £135,000.

This Diamond was set into different crowns for monarchs of France and even into a hat adornment for Marie Antoinette.

When the French Revolution broke out, French crown jewels were caught up. However, the Regent Diamond was successfully hidden in one of the abandoned Parisian attics.

Subsequently, Napoleon encrusted this stone in the scabbard of his sword, and later mounted it in the hilt of a double-edged sword designed by the House of Chaumet.

After that the jewel continued adorning the crowns of Louis XVIII, Charles X and Napoleon III.

Our days

Finally, the Regent Diamond was set into a Greek-style diadem of Empress Eugenie – and then put on display at the Louvre Museum. The only time it was hidden was during the outbreak of World War II, when the gemstone was hidden in the French provincial town of Chambord.

It remains in the Apollo Gallery to this day.

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