Monday, April 02, 2018

Royal blue diamond unearthed in India 300 years ago which was once part of Marie Antoinette's tiara is set to fetch more than £5m at auction

The 6.16-carat Farnese Blue diamond was discovered in Golconda mine, India
Boasts regal history and was passed around through European royal families
Descendants of queen of Spain Elisabeth Farnese are selling the jewel at auction
It is set to sell for around £3.7million but experts say it could fetch even more
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A diamond unearthed in India 300 years ago that has passed through the hands of four European dynasties, even appearing on a tiara owned by Marie Antoinette, could fetch more than £5million at auction when it goes on sale for the first time.

The 6.16-carat Farnese Blue diamond was discovered in the Golconda mine, where the Hope Diamond was also found.

The first historical record of the stone came in 1715, when it was gifted to the Italian-born queen of Spain Elisabeth Farnese following her marriage to King Philip V of Spain.

The 6.16-carat Farnese Blue diamond is set to fetch millions of pounds when it goes on sale at auction this month. The stone has been passed around European royalty since it was found 300 years ago

Experts predict the stone could smash its estimated guide price when it goes under the hammer

The pear-shaped, dark grey-blue diamond was then passed down through seven generations of European royalty, going from Space, to France, Italy and Austria.

Despite the Farnese Blue Diamond being the property of royals and at different points being on the tie pin Duke of Lucca Charles II and even on a tiara belonging to Marie Antoinette, for much of its history the jewel's existence remained unknown to all but family members and the jewelers who dealt with it.

This month Queen Elizabeth's descendants will auction off the diamond at Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction in Geneva. It is estimated to sell for 5 million Swiss francs (£3.7million).

But, David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby's international jewelry division, believes the jewel could smash its estimated selling price.

He told CNN: 'Royal and noble collectors have traditionally had access to the finest gemstones available, and so the gems which adorn these pieces often display the very highest quality, size and rarity.

'They are fragments of history and there is currently great enthusiasm for jewels of this type.'

A description in the stone's box says in French: 'Remarkable blue brilliant. This historical stone was offered by the Philippine Islands to Elisabeth Farnese, Queen of Spain, wife of Philippe V, great grandfather of the Comte of Villafranca, current owner of that stone'

The diamond as gifted to the Italian-born queen of Spain Elisabeth Farnese following her marriage to King Philip V of Spain

The stone was sent to the queen of Spain in August 1715 after the government sent a message to the colonies in the east and west, demanding they send wedding gifts to Madrid.

After a year was spent accumulating the treasure, the Golden Fleet of 12 ships laden with gold set sale from Cuba.

But disaster struck in the Gulf of Florida, when a hurricane destroyed much of the fleet.

It is said only one ship escaped from the storm and managed to bring back one diamond to Spain - the 6.16-carat Farnese Blue diamond gifted to the new queen from the governor of the Philippines Islands.

The stone's box alludes to its history.

It reads in French: 'Remarkable blue brilliant. This historical stone was offered by the Philippine Islands to Elisabeth Farnese, Queen of Spain, wife of Philippe V, great grandfather of the Comte of Villafranca, current owner of that sto