A breathtaking relic of India’s royal past is set to dazzle the world at Christie’s ‘Magnificent Jewels’ auction in Geneva on May 14. The Golconda Blue, a 23.24-carat vivid blue diamond with a storied legacy, is expected to fetch between $35 million and $50 million (approximately ₹300 crore to ₹430 crore). Once cherished by the maharajas of Indore and Baroda, this rare gem, now set in a sleek modern ring by Parisian jeweller JAR, is poised to make history.
Hailing from the fabled Golconda mines in Telangana, India—source of iconic diamonds like the Koh-i-Noor and Hope Diamond—the Golconda Blue carries centuries of allure. “This gem’s royal heritage, vibrant hue, and remarkable size make it one of the rarest blue diamonds ever offered,” said Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s international head of jewellery. “Gems of this calibre are a once-in-a-lifetime find.”
The diamond’s journey began in the early 20th century with Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore, a connoisseur of art and innovation. Initially set in a 1923 Chaumet bracelet, it later adorned a Mauboussin necklace alongside the famed Indore Pears, immortalized in a portrait of the Maharani of Indore. In 1947, the gem crossed oceans to join Harry Winston’s collection in the U.S., where it was transformed into a dazzling brooch. Later, it returned to India as part of the Baroda royal family’s treasury before entering private hands.
The Golconda Blue’s rich narrative, blending Indian opulence with European craftsmanship, sets it apart. While it is the largest diamond at the upcoming auction, it is outshone in size by the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond, now at the Smithsonian. Yet, its vivid blue rivals the Oppenheimer Blue, which sold for $57.5 million in 2016, and the De Beers Blue, auctioned for $57.4 million in 2022.
As the Golconda Blue prepares to shine at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, collectors and historians alike await its next chapter. This auction not only celebrates a gem of extraordinary beauty but also honors India’s enduring legacy as the cradle of the world’s most legendary diamonds.
