Briolette of India

The Briolette of India is a colorless diamond (weighing 90.38 carats (18.076 g)) that was found in India. It is cut in a briolette shape, and is a D-coloured (colourless) type IIa diamond.[1] Its history was thought to date from the 12th century, when it was first acquired by Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Queen consort of King Louis VII of France between 1137 and 1152. This makes the Briolette of India the oldest diamond on record in the world, even older than the famous Koh-i-Noor.[1][2]

Briolette of India
Weight90.38 carats (18.076 g)
ColorD (colorless)
Cutbriolette
Country of origin India
Mine of originIndia
Original ownerThe earliest reported owner is Eleanor of Aquitaine
OwnerReportedly a European family
Estimated valueExact figure unknown. Based on sales figures of similar quality historic diamonds, at least $5 million US.

The diamond was in the possession of several famous historical figures such as King Richard the Lion Heart, who carried it with him to the third crusade, and King Henry II of France who presented it to his mistress Diane de Poitiers.[3]

The Briolette of India has disappeared from records for long periods, sometimes even for several centuries, before resurfacing again. It is currently believed to be in the possession of a European family.[1]

Early history

Modern reports of the diamond's history speculate that it dates back as far as the 12th century, when it is said to have first been acquired and brought to England by Eleanor of Aquitaine, the queen consort of King Louis VII of France.[4][5] If Eleanor of Acquitaine did come into possession of the diamond, it was probably between 1137 and 1152, which would make the Briolette of India the oldest diamond on record.[1][6] After her marriage to the King of France was dissolved, Eleanor married Henry II of England, to whom she bore eight children including Richard I of England (Richard the Lionheart) who is said to have later acquired the diamond. Modern sources speculate that King Richard I carried the Briolette of India with him when he took part in the third crusade.[1][6]

The diamond's history was not recorded for almost three centuries after it passed from Richard I's possession. Modern sources resume the story of the diamond from the late 16th century, when Henry II of France is said to have presented it to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers.[6] After Henry II's death, his queen consort, Catherine de Medicis, forced Poitiers to surrender the diamond as well as other jewels given her by the monarch. The jewels that were surrendered may have included the Briolette of India.[1]

The diamond in the 20th century

According to historian Hans Nadelhoffer, the Briolette of India was cut into its distinctive shape in Neuilly, Paris and sold to Cartier, along with another diamond called the Blue Heart (aka Unzue Heart).[7][8] "Initially set as a pendant with a 126-grain pearl," Nadelhoffer writes, "the splendid stone was combined the following year [1910] with two 22-carat emeralds and the same pearl to form a brooch, which was sent to the New York branch [of Cartier]. In 1911, Cartier's sold it to [American financier] George Blumenthal", who presented it to his wife, Florence Meyer Blumenthal.[9]

The Briolette resurfaced in 1950, when it was acquired by New York jeweler Harry Winston.[9] Winston sold the diamond to the wife of Canadian millionaire I. W. Killam and bought it from Dorothy J. Killam's estate ten years later, after her death.[1]

In July 1967, the Briolette of India was illustrated in a photograph by Richard Avedon. The image depicts Anglo-American fashion model Penelope Tree holding the unset stone before her right eye.[10][11][12]

Harry Winston exhibited the Briolette in 1970 at a dinner organized for American fashion editors.[6] A year later the firm sold it to a European client.[9]

Today

An unidentified European family illegally reportedly owns the Briolette of India at the present time.[9]

Characteristics

The Briolette of India is a colourless (D-coloured), clear diamond. It is cut in a briolette shape, an exaggerated form of double rose cut. The diamond weighs 90.38 carats (18.076 g). It is D-color and a type IIa diamond, which are the purest type of diamonds with no chemical impurities or plastic deformations in the crystal. Because of its pureness, it is even known as the "purest of the pure".[1] When last seen, the diamond was being used as the pendant of a necklace, along with another diamond and a large pearl.[13]

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See also

References
  1. "Briolette of India Diamond". Internet Stones. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  2. "Briolette". DiamondDictionary.org. 14 September 2007. Archived from the original on 3 November 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  3. "Diamond Facts". Jeweler.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  4. "The Briolette of India". Peora. Archived from the original on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  5. "History Timeline of Diamonds". Diamonds are Forever. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  6. "The Old Briolette of India Diamond". YGOY. 6 October 2007. Archived from the original on 23 November 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  7. http://www.mnh.si.edu/earth/text/dynamicearth/6_0_0_geogallery/geogallery_specimen.cfm?SpecimenID=4002&categoryID=1&categoryName=Gems&browseType=name
  8. Hans Nadelhoffer, Cartier (Chronicle Books, 2007), page 259
  9. Hans Nadelhoffer, Cartier (Chronicle Books, 2007), page 321
  10. Cathy Horyn, "How Avedon Blurred His Own Image", The New York Times, 13 May 2009
  11. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/05/13/fashion/20090514-avedon-feature/index.html
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. "The Old Briolette of India Diamond". Ygoy. Archived from the original on 23 November 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
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