Article Today, Paris:
The world-renowned Regent Diamond, long celebrated for its brilliance and haunted by its legend, has once again captured global attention. Following a daring theft at the Louvre Museum, where thieves escaped with several priceless jewels, the Regent Diamond — sourced from India’s Golconda mines — remained untouched. Experts and historians believe the gem’s fabled curse may have deterred the culprits.
Origins on the Banks of the Krishna
The Regent Diamond’s journey began in the late 17th century on Indian soil. In 1687, during Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s campaign against Golconda Fort, a mine worker in the Kollur mines near the Krishna River discovered a massive 426-carat rough diamond. He hid it in a self-inflicted leg wound to smuggle it out but was later murdered by an English trader. The tale of bloodshed at its discovery gave rise to the enduring belief that the stone carried a fatal curse for its owners.
From Madras to the French Crown
The gem’s name traces back to its sale in 1717 when Thomas Pitt, then Governor of Madras, sold the diamond to Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, who served as the Regent of France during the minority of King Louis XV. From the French word régent, meaning ruler, the gem came to be known as the Regent Diamond. It was later set in the French Crown Jewels, symbolising both opulence and ominous fortune.
Witness to Revolutions and Ruin
Throughout French history, the Regent has been associated with turbulent eras. It adorned the crown of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, both of whom were executed during the French Revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte later embedded the gem in his sword hilt, believing it would bring him power. Instead, his empire fell, reinforcing the superstition that the diamond brought misfortune to its possessors.
The Louvre Heist and the Diamond Untouched
In the recent Louvre heist, thieves looted eight priceless artefacts, including a sapphire set belonging to Queen Marie-Amélie, valued at nearly Rs. 250 crore. Yet, they refrained from taking the Regent Diamond, worth over Rs. 500 crore. Investigators are puzzled by the decision, as the diamond was both accessible and more valuable than the stolen pieces. Historians speculate that the diamond’s ominous reputation — tracing back to its bloody origins in Golconda — may have played a psychological role in deterring the thieves.
A Legend That Endures
Today, the Regent Diamond remains one of the Louvre’s most treasured exhibits, displayed under strict security. Beyond its brilliance, it represents a story of greed, betrayal, revolution, and superstition that has transcended centuries. The recent theft has reignited public curiosity, reminding the world that some jewels carry more than beauty — they carry history’s darkest whispers.
