The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-05
some HISTORIC DIAMONDS
Precious Stones That Have Led TO
Atr0ciOus Crimes.

Murder and Robbery Committed to
Gnin Possession of Gems of Enor-
mons Value. or Believed to Con-
tain Power for Good or Evil
The diamond. n simple stone of petri-
fled carbon, has ever exCrted a marvellous
influence on man and has for ages urged
him on to deeds of violence and blood
shed in his lust for its possession. India
appears to have been the cradle of the
diamond in the earlier days. Here were
found most of the largest historical gems
and here has been the scene Of the great
est carnage which ever a diamond in
spircd. Wars have been waged on the one
side for its possession, and on the other
for its defence.
Among the ancient rajahs the diamond
was surrounded with occult power for
good or evil, mostly evil, as it has ever
turned out. The Oriental mind having
ever been in the faith stage as opposed
10 the stage of reason. is one especially
conditioned to endow objects which in
terest it with a halo of mysticism. No
one thing has appealed to this side of the
Oriental mind as the diamond. Unfor-
tunately. however. this gem has only APP
peaied 10 the vanity side of human nature.
Dynasties were believed to be dependent
upon the possession of the diamond.
which, If lost by accident theft or war
meant the dissolution and ruin of the
ruling house. For 5000 years this struggle
to obtain the jewel and to keep il has
been characterized by robbery. treachery,
and murder. Even today two Republics.
together with the lives and liberties of
their people. have been sacrificed for the
world-old lust for the diamond AID the
South African war, inspired by a mere
handful Of Englishmen, has plunged
great nation into weary war for this
well-namsd gem of fate
Civilized or semi-civiliZed peoples seem
to be affected in the same murderous way
by this gem.
Some of the diamonds which have been
the cause of historic wars and bloodshed
are still in existence.
THE KoH-I-NooR DIAMOND.
No diamond, probably. has had a more
remarkable history or has figured more
largely in the affairs of nations and indi-
viduals. than the Koh-i-noor. or Mound
of Light" as the name implies. Tradition
assigns it an exceedingly great antiquity,
having been found in the Godavery River.
southern India. between 100 and 5000
years ago previous to the Indian war. 1t
was worn by one Of the chiefs who fell in
known diamond in the world.
Ii came into the possession Of the fam
lily of one of the ancient native princes
the Raiah Of Malwar. and was trans
mitted 10 his successors through many
generations, until it passed into the hands
of the Mohammedan conquerors of India
at the beginning of the fourteenth cen
tury. II constituted one Of the most val
liable gems Of the imperial treasury of
Delhi, until it was carried on by Nadir
Gf1sff 1aa Dor an In A
ter the assassination of Nadir this gem
became the property Of the Afghan mon
archs and from them was transferred to
Runjeet Singh, the Sikh hero of the Pun
jsub. who had it set in a bracelet, and
Just before his death in 1893 he was adj
vised to devote if to Juggernaut, but the
act was not consummated and it was left
among his other treasures.
The story is told that Nadir Shah pos
sessed himself of the diamond by artifice.
lie believed that it was concealed in the
turban of the dethroned Emperor. since
It could not be found in the treasury at
Delhi, and on the preteXt Of restoring the
conquered ruler to his dominions, which
the willy Persian made the occasion of
grand display, he artfully proposed. as
mark OF friendship. 10 exchange tur-
bans with his imperial guest, an act of
courtesy the prisoner did not deem it
polite TO refuse, and the famous diamond
came into the hands of the conqueror,
who on beholding IL, exclaimed. ''Koh-i-
nOor,''
On the fall of Nadir shah's extensive
empire, Ahmed Shah, the Afghan chief,
who established a new dynasty. became
the pOssessor Of this ill-omened treasure.
The last Of his line, Shah Soujah. kept
this cherished treasure during his impris-
onmenf and exile, until Runjeet Singh
compelled him TO sell it for 10000 rupees.
After the subjugation of the Sikhs by the
English and the annexation Of the Pun
jaub to British India. in 1919. the civil
authorities took possession Of the treas
ury at Lahore, under the stipulation that
all the property Of the State should be
confiscated to the East India Company,
and that the hoh-i-noor should be pre-
scented to the Queen OF England. Thus
the .talisman of Indian sway passed from
the land Of its birth to the royal treas
ury of Windsor Castle.
When first imported into England il was
the largest diamond in Europe. except
the Orloif, but at the present time II is
surpassed by several others. Its original
weight was 1913 carats uncut. The cutting
of this diamond was performed in Lon
don by steam power, under the direction
of artists from Amsterdam, and occu-
0J0. II is cut in the form of brilliant,
which involved great waste of material.
Though the beauty Of the gem may have
been enhanced by this operation which
is matter of doubt, yet, In the opinion
of many. its value as an historical monu-
ment has been greatly diminished.
THE GREAT MoGUL
The diamond known as the Great Mo-
gui is the largest authentic diamond vet
discovered. II was found in the mines
OF CAM or Coulour in I6JJ, and came into
the possession of the Vizier of the King
OF GolcOnda, who had amassed great
wadlth ~ farming the diamonds. Becom-
ing the object of jealousy to his royal
master. the Minister escaped from Court
taking with him all his treasures. and
came TO the capital of Aurungzeeb. one
of the most celebrated OF all the Mo-
gui rulers. Here the fugitive Vizier be-
came iavorite by his muniicent pres-
ents to the Emperor including this fam
Gus diamond. which was. from it's imper-
ial owner. called the Great Mogui.r Its
weight at that time was 7S7ls carats
but as II was badly fawed IL was decided
10 have IL cut, an operation performed by
an unskillful Venetian lapidary named
BOrgia, who reduced it's weight nearly
One-third. IL was cut In the form of
half-egg and covered with facets like
rose diamond The Emperor was so Of
Tended at the great waste Of the stone
that he not only refused TO pay the oper-
ator his stipulated price. but imposed
fine Of 1000 rupees for damages. The UNI
fortunate Venetian, who evidently under
stood neither his business FOR the temper
Of despotic princes. was glad to escape
with his life The weight OF this diamond
has been differently estimated at go.
fy l-3, and TSIiz caratS before cutting. 27g
Zl, and 80 carats after cutting II was
Of the first water and valued at 81 $50. 600
Fhe diamond is connected in history
with some OF the wars and revolutions in
India. and during the Persian invasion
ground for the general opinion that it
now belongs to the Persian Crown IL is
however more than likely the Great Mo-
gul has been lost, and II so II may come
tod